According to Wikipedia the term parliament: “[…] is derived from French parlement, the action of parler (to speak). A parlement is a talk, a discussion, hence a meeting ( an assembly, a court ) where people discuss matters. The British Parliament is often referred to as the “Mother of Parliaments” because it has been a model for most other parliamentary systems”. Political systems can be distinguished into three different kinds. Presidential systems as in the United States, parliamentary systems as in the United Kingdom and Germany and semi-presidential systems as in France. The different systems have many similarities and are based on democracy. Although the political system of the United Kingdom and Germany both have a parliamentary system, they vary in many ways. This essay aims to show some of the significant differences between the German and British Parliament. First, the two parliamentary systems will be presented in terms of composition, function and tasks. Second, the consequences resulting in the difference in aforementioned properties will be considered. Undoubtedly, there is more to consider when discussing political systems and the point of view regarding to the task of this essay just allows a narrow consideration. [...]
Table of Contents
Introduction
The German government system
Parliament
The British System of Government
Houses of Parliament
Consideration / Differences
Research Objectives and Core Themes
The primary objective of this essay is to provide a comparative analysis of the parliamentary systems in Germany and the United Kingdom. It aims to explore the structural compositions, functional roles, and legislative tasks of their respective parliaments, ultimately highlighting how these differences impact governmental effectiveness and legislative reform.
- Comparison of the German and British parliamentary systems.
- Analysis of composition, function, and legislative tasks.
- Examination of the role of Upper and Lower Houses.
- Impact of electoral systems on government structure.
- Evaluation of legislative power and executive checks.
Excerpt from the Book
Consideration / Differences
The German Parliament is dominated by work in commitees whereas in the British Parliament a large part of the political work is done in the plenum.
The chairmanship in the German Parliament is distributed among the parlamentary groups (Fraktionen) which consist of members of different parties. In the British Parliament the chairmanship always belongs to the members of the leading party.
The topics to be discussed in Parliament are largely dictaded by the government, whereas in the German Parliament the topics are negotiated in among the members of parliament.
So called “whips” have the task to maintain the MP’s loyalty to the decissions made by the party. Whereas the German Parliament has the possibility to convoke independent experts to contrast to the government. In legislative matters the federal states parliament (Bundesrat) can reject bills becoming law whereas the House of Lords solely hast the possibility to delay the bill for a year.
The opposition of the British Parliament acts as the alternative government (shadow-Cabinet) whereas the opposition in the German Parliament has the oportunity to participate in the legislative through a plurality of party members in the federal states parliament (Bundesrat).
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: This chapter defines the term parliament and establishes the scope of comparing the political systems of the United Kingdom and Germany.
The German government system: An overview of the German constitutional structure, focusing on the roles of the Federal Chancellor, the Federal President, and the regional states.
Parliament: A detailed description of the Bundestag and the Bundesrat, explaining their legislative roles, election processes, and the function of the Ältestenrat.
The British System of Government: An examination of the United Kingdom's democratic constitutional monarchy and its long-standing parliamentary tradition.
Houses of Parliament: This section details the composition and functions of the House of Commons and the House of Lords within the British political framework.
Consideration / Differences: A comparative analysis identifying key operational differences between the German and British parliamentary processes.
Keywords
Parliament, Bundestag, Bundesrat, House of Commons, House of Lords, Parliamentary System, Legislation, Government, Opposition, Shadow-Cabinet, Electoral System, Constitutional Monarchy, Federal Republic, Political Science, Legislative Power
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this essay?
The essay explores the role of parliament in the British system of government and compares it with the parliamentary system in Germany.
What are the primary themes discussed?
Central themes include the composition of legislative bodies, the function of Upper versus Lower houses, electoral systems, and the distribution of political power.
What is the main goal of the research?
The aim is to identify and analyze significant differences between the two parliamentary systems regarding their structure, legislative tasks, and political influence.
Which scientific method does the author employ?
The author uses a descriptive, comparative approach, analyzing both systems in terms of composition, functional roles, and legislative procedures.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main section covers the German government system, the specific roles of the Bundestag and Bundesrat, the British constitutional monarchy, and the functions of the House of Commons and House of Lords.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Parliament, Bundestag, Bundesrat, House of Commons, House of Lords, legislative process, and constitutional framework.
How does the role of the Bundesrat differ from that of the House of Lords?
The Bundesrat has the power to reject bills and block government decisions in legislative matters, whereas the House of Lords primarily has the authority to delay legislation for one year.
Why is the British Parliament often called the "Mother of Parliaments"?
It is referred to by this term because the British system has served as a historical model for many other parliamentary systems around the world.
- Quote paper
- Sonja Sickert (Author), 2005, What is the role the of Parliament in the British System of Government? What significant differences are there to the Government in Germany?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/62734
