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Comparison of UK and US Constitutions

A-Level Politics notes for AQA Paper 2- Comparison of UK and US systems

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178 views2 pages

Comparison of UK and US Constitutions

A-Level Politics notes for AQA Paper 2- Comparison of UK and US systems

Uploaded by

erin.enright
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Comparison of UK and US constitutions

Impacts on government

Similarities

 In both constitutions the elected legislature passes all national or federal laws
 In both constitutions the executive plays a significant role in drawing up policies and setting the political
agenda
 In both constitutions the judiciary can rule against the legislature and the executive

Differences

 In the UK parliament is sovereign, whereas in the US the constitution is sovereign


 In the UK constitution there is often a lack of clarity and precision in some roles and practices, however in
the US the constitution is very precise in the roles and duties of each branch.

Nature

Similarities

 They both lay out the framework of democratic politics and being accountable political institutions
 They both aim to defend individual rights and deal with issues like discrimination
 In both constitutions, the leaders often have to spend time persuading fellow party members to support
their bills and policies.

Differences

 The British constitution is uncodified, whereas the US constitution is codified


 The British constitution is easier to amend and change than the US constitution is harder to amend
 The British constitution is a product of evolution and gradual change; however the US constitution is the
product of revolution, and was created largely in one go at the 1787 Constitutional Convention in
Philadelphia.

Sources

Similarities

 Both constitutions have roots in the past via classical republican and traditional monarchism
 Both constitutions share cultural similarities when it comes to individual rights. They both have several
key documents that express the need to limit the ability of monarchs to deny justice or subvert
parliament, for example the Magna Carter and the 1689 Bill of Rights.
 Both constitutional documents have been capable of adaption, this is seen when you consider that
neither started off with the intention of protecting the rights and liberties of every man and woman.

Differences

 The UK constitution borrowed from monarchical and hereditary principles and documents, whereas the
US constitution does
 The US constitution was purposefully formed with clear principles in mind that are designed to be
applicable in most circumstances, however the British constitution is the product of centuries of evolution
that adapted over time.
 The British constitution is still quite monarchical and still involves the royal prerogative powers as
opposed to the enumerated powers in the US constitution.

Provisions

Similarities
 The Constitution outlines specific provisions for the establishment of the three major branches of both
countries
 Both constitutions have provisions that establish the president/prime minister and the executive branch

Differences

 Both constitutions have different provisions that outlines the procedures that must be followed to amend
their constitutions
 In the UK the constitution is flexible with no special procedure to change it, however in the US whenever
two-thirds of the Congressional members agree, an amendment to the Constitution may be proposed.

Separation of powers

Similarities

 The UK and the US both have 3 branches of the legislative, judiciary and executive.
 Even with the difference in the separation of powers, each branches roles are clearly distinguished in the
UK and the US.
 In both the UK and the US, all branches provide checks and limit the others.

Differences

 The US constitution sets out a strict system of separation of powers, whereas the UK has a fusion of
powers.
 In the UK, the three branches of the legislative, judiciary and executive can overlap and therefore there
can be an amalgamation of powers, whilst in the US, no one can be part of two branches at the same
time, which creates a clear separation of powers.
 In the US there are separate elections for both the legislative and the executive, whilst in the UK people
only vote for the legislative.

Checks and balances

Similarities

 Both constitutions provide checks and balances, with legislatures able to provide checks on the executive
branch.
 Both houses of Parliament can provide checks on the government, they can do this by voting on
government proposals and using a vote of no confidence. This is similar to the US as both houses of
Congress can also provide checks on the government, they can do this by being the only ones who can
amend and pass legislation, the president is only able to propose legislation and nominate to the
executive and judiciary.
 In the both the UK and US it is expected that both chambers of Congress or Parliament, provide checks on
the executive, whether it be the president or the prime minister. They are also both expected to perform
checks on the other chamber, for example the House if expected to check the Senate

Differences

 In the US, Congress tends to not have as high party patronage, and therefore they tend to vote in line
with their constituents rather than their party. Whereas in the UK, party patronage is more likely, so MPs
tend to vote in line with their party, this arguably undermines any checks and balances.
 The US constitution provides extensive checks and balances which prevents executive domination, which
can be seen in the UK.
 The fact that both chambers of the US Congress are elected creates the argument that their checks and
balances are more effective and powerful than in the UK, as only the House of commons are elected.

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