W5 - W6. (Study Guide) Chapter 4

Introduction to American & British Studies
Chapter 4 - American and British Political Systems

General guidelines: We’re going to examine the British Political System and the American
Political System in Week 5 and Week 6 respectively.
✔ Read Chapter 4 and do the assigned tasks in groups before class.

✔ Find more updated information about American and British politics and prepare the
discussion questions.
You should take notes of the reading content. Using the Cornell note-taking system is a
good way to start with. See more at LINK 1 & LINK 2
GROUP 1 GROUP 2 GROUP 3 GROUP 4 GROUPS 5, 6
UK (WEEK 5)
Introduction, Government, PM Parliament Monarchy Election

& Cabinet
Constitution, Fusion of powers

Fusion of powers
Task 1 Task 1 Task 3 & Task 4 Task 2 Task 5
Related questions Related questions Related questions Related questions Related questions
& key terms & key terms & key terms & key terms & key terms
US (WEEK 6)
Introduction Separation of Legislative branch Judicial branch Election

Powers
Federalism Executive branch How a bill Checks and

becomes a law balances
Task 1 Task 2 Task 3 Task 4 Task 5
Related questions Related questions Related questions Related questions Related questions
& key terms & key terms & key terms & key terms & key terms
PART 1 - BRITISH POLITICAL SYSTEM (WEEK 5)
1 | Prepared by Hong Nguyen 2024| Division of International Studies, ULIS-VNUH

I. Key terms: Briefly explain the following key terms
Constitutional monarchy: a country governed by a king or a queen who accepts the advice of
parliament
Parliamentary democracy: a country whose government is controlled by a parliament which

has been elected by the people
The cabinet: made up of the senior members of government (Secretaries of State from all
departments and some other ministers)
Single-party government: all members of the government belong to the same political party
Collective responsibilities: every member of the government, however junior, shares the
responsibility for every policy made by the government
Cabinet reshuffle: a few cabinet members are dropped, and a few new members are brought in,
but mostly the existing members are shuffled around, like a pack of cards, each getting a new
department to look after
MPs vs. PM:
- MPs (Members of Parliament): members of the House of Commons (belongs to Parliament)
- PM: appointed by the monarch, appears not to have much power but in reality has a very great
deal indeed, dominating all the other ministers even (belongs to Government)
Hereditary peers: the holder of an inherited aristocratic title
Life peers: the distinguished retired politicians who used to sit in the Commons
Two-party system: a political system where two major political parties dominate the political
landscape. In the UK, these two parties have traditionally been:
1. The Conservative Party (also known as the Tories) – a center-right political party that
supports free markets, a strong national defense, and traditional values.
2. The Labour Party – a center-left political party that historically supports social justice,
workers' rights, and welfare state policies.
Shadow cabinet: a group of senior members of the opposition party who mirror the positions of
the actual Cabinet. These politicians are tasked with scrutinizing and offering alternatives to the
policies of the government ministers in power (ready to fill the shoes of the government at a
moment’s notice)

First-past-the-post: the electoral system used in the United Kingdom for general elections to the
House of Commons. It's a plurality voting system, meaning the candidate with the most votes in
a constituency wins, regardless of whether they have an absolute majority
II. Briefly answer the following questions:
The Constitution: What is the British form of government? What does it mean? What is special
about the British constitution?
- The British form of government is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary
democracy
- It means that
- The British constitution is special that there is no single written document which can be
appealed to as the highest law of the land and the final arbiter in any matter of dispute.
Moreover, some of the principles and procedures are written down in law agreed by Parliament,
some of them have been spoken and then written down (made in courts) and some of them have
never been written down at all.
Fusion of powers: What does the “fusion of powers” mean? What is the effect of this system on
the British government?
- “Fusion of powers” means a balance of power between the Crown (and more recently the
Government) and Parliament
- Effect:
The Government: What are the functions of the Cabinet?

Why does the PM have much more power than other ministers do? (3 reasons)
- Function of the Cabinet
The Monarchy: What role does the Monarch play? What are the King’s/Queen’s powers?
In what way is the position of a British PM in direct contrast to that of the monarch?
The Parliament: What are the functions of the Parliament?

Between the House of Lords and the House of Commons, which one has more power? Why?
What feature makes the House of Lords undemocratic?
Why is it said that the modern House of Lords is a forum for public discussion?

The Election: How does the general British electoral system work?
When do legally speaking, general elections have to take place?
What will happen if no party wins a majority of seats in the House of Commons?
Discussion question:
Will Brexit lead to the disintegration of the UK?
Recommended readings:
An introduction to Parliament: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAMbIz3Y2JA

Post-Brexit Guide: Where are we now – and how did we get here?
https://www.euronews.com/2021/06/23/brexit-draft-deal-first-of-many-hurdles-to-a-smooth-exit
Introduction to devolution in the UK:
https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-8599/
General election - The voting system explained: https://youtu.be/cRxUhGetEPQ
What is tactical voting? https://youtu.be/PQRyGacBRA4
The 2024 UK Election Results Explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W97evNJrMn8
PART 2 - AMERICAN POLITICAL SYSTEM (WEEK 6)

I. Key terms: Briefly explain the following key terms
Representative democracy: all government power rests ultimately with the people, who direct
policies by voting for government representatives
Constitution: defines the powers of nation and state government, the functions and frameworks
of each branch of government and the rights of individuals citizens, which protect the democratic
interests of the people government
Limited government: the principle that the powers of the government are restricted by law,
usually in a written constitution. This concept is fundamental to the U.S. political system and is
designed to protect individual rights and prevent the government from becoming too powerful.
The idea is rooted in the belief that the government should only perform functions that
individuals cannot do for themselves and that its authority should be checked by laws and other
governing structures. It was achieved by dividing authority between the central government and
the individual states

Federalism:
Separation of powers:
Checks and balances:
Two-party system:
Winner-take-all principle (in general elections):
Electoral College:
II. Briefly answer the following questions
Introduction & Federalism: What is the US form of government?

What are the three features created by the Constitution to guard against tyranny?
How are powers divided in American federalism?
Three branches: What is the function of each branch of the American government?
What are the major roles of the US president?
How does the checks and balances system work?
What is the most important check each branch has? Justify your answer.
Party system & Election: What are the similarities and differences between the Democratic and
Republican Parties in terms of political views?
What are the US Constitution’s requirements for a presidential candidate?
Why is it said that Americans vote for their national leader indirectly?
Discussion question:
Why wasn’t Trump re-elected in 2020?
Recommended readings:
US Election process: https://my.usembassy.gov/president_election_process/

How to Become President of the USA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eXCG-hlaqI
How a case gets to the US Supreme Court: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=KEjgAXxrkXY&t=46s

US government: https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/our-government/

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Introduction to American & British Studies

Chapter 4 - American and British Political Systems

✔ Read Chapter 4 and do the assigned tasks in groups before class.

GROUP 1 GROUP 2 GROUP 3 GROUP 4 GROUPS 5, 6

Introduction, Government, PM Parliament Monarchy Election

Constitution, Fusion of powers

Task 1 Task 1 Task 3 & Task 4 Task 2 Task 5

Introduction Separation of Legislative branch Judicial branch Election

Federalism Executive branch How a bill Checks and

Task 1 Task 2 Task 3 Task 4 Task 5

PART 1 - BRITISH POLITICAL SYSTEM (WEEK 5)

1 | Prepared by Hong Nguyen 2024| Division of International Studies, ULIS-VNUH

I. Key terms: Briefly explain the following key terms

Parliamentary democracy: a country whose government is controlled by a parliament which

MPs vs. PM:

- MPs (Members of Parliament): members of the House of Commons (belongs to Parliament)

Hereditary peers: the holder of an inherited aristocratic title

2 | Prepared by Hong Nguyen 2024| Division of International Studies, ULIS-VNUH

II. Briefly answer the following questions:

The Government: What are the functions of the Cabinet?

The Parliament: What are the functions of the Parliament?

3 | Prepared by Hong Nguyen 2024| Division of International Studies, ULIS-VNUH

Will Brexit lead to the disintegration of the UK?

An introduction to Parliament: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAMbIz3Y2JA

PART 2 - AMERICAN POLITICAL SYSTEM (WEEK 6)

4 | Prepared by Hong Nguyen 2024| Division of International Studies, ULIS-VNUH

Checks and balances:

Winner-take-all principle (in general elections):

II. Briefly answer the following questions

Introduction & Federalism: What is the US form of government?

US Election process: https://my.usembassy.gov/president_election_process/

5 | Prepared by Hong Nguyen 2024| Division of International Studies, ULIS-VNUH

6 | Prepared by Hong Nguyen 2024| Division of International Studies, ULIS-VNUH

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