POLITICAL SCIENCE

3RD SEMESTER BS-II FINAL EXAM OUTLINE

1. Historical Development, Sources And Features Of

Both The Constitution Of UK And USA.

2. Powers And Functions Of Queen.

3. Elections, Functions And Powers Of President Of

USA And Prime Minister Of England And Also
Cabinet Of UK And USA.

4. The Formation, Election, Composition And Powers

Of The Parliament Of England And Congress Of
USA.

Made by Karim Vains

 1. HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT, SOURCES AND
FEATURES OF BOTH THE CONSTITUTION OF UK AND
USA.

The UK Constitution is an unwritten constitution, meaning that it is

not contained in a single document. It consists of a mixture of laws,
precedent, and accepted practices. The UK Constitution evolved
gradually over time, with some of its key components dating back to
the Magna Carta in 1215. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the Glorious
Revolution and the Bill of Rights protected individual rights and
limited the power of the monarchy. The separation of powers
between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of
government was further developed over time. The Human Rights Act
of 1998 incorporated the European Convention of Human Rights into
UK law, providing further protection for civil liberties.

The US Constitution is a written constitution, adopted in 1787 after

the American Revolutionary War. The Constitution established the
framework for the federal government, including the three branches
of government, and established the principles of federalism,
separation of powers, and checks and balances. The Bill of Rights, the
first ten amendments to the Constitution, was ratified in 1791 and
protected individual civil liberties. Since its adoption, the Constitution
has been amended 27 times, with notable amendments addressing
issues such as slavery, suffrage, and presidential term limits.
 • Here are some sources and features of the UK and US
Constitutions:

• Sources of the UK Constitution

- Acts of Parliament
- Common Law
- Conventions
- EU Law
- European Convention on Human Rights
- Royal Prerogative
- International Law

• Features of the UK Constitution

- Unwritten Constitution
- Unitary System
- Parliamentary Sovereignty
- Rule of Law
- Separation of Powers (partial)
- Constitutional Monarchy

• Sources of the US Constitution

- Constitutional Convention of 1787
- Declaration of Independence
- Articles of Confederation
- State Constitutions
- Common Law
- Federalist and Anti-Federalist Papers

• Features of the US Constitution

- Written Constitution
- Federal System
- Separation of Powers
- Checks and Balances
- Bill of Rights
- Judicial Review
- Presidential System

In comparison, the UK Constitution relies much more on unwritten

conventions and traditions, while the US Constitution is a detailed,
written document. The UK Constitution is also much more flexible and
can be amended more easily, while the US Constitution has only been
amended 27 times since its adoption in 1787. Additionally, the UK
Constitution does not have a single document outlining the power of
its government, while the US Constitution grants significant power to
the federal government while preserving states' rights

2. POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF QUEEN.

The powers and functions of a queen vary depending on the

country and its political system. But in general, here are some
possible powers and functions of a queen:

I. Head of state: The queen is the symbolic head of state and

represents the country in diplomatic matters.

II. Ceremonial duties: The queen performs various ceremonial

duties such as opening Parliament, receiving foreign
dignitaries, and awarding honors and honors to citizens.

III. Constitutional powers: In some countries, the queen has

certain constitutional powers, such as appointing or
 dismissing prime ministers and granting royal assent to bills
passed by parliament.

IV. Advisor: The queen may offer advice and guidance to the
government on political matters.

V. Patron of charities and organizations: The queen may serve as

patron of various charities and organizations, and use her
position to raise awareness and funds for causes she
supports.

• It's important to note that the actual powers and functions of a

queen may be limited and largely symbolic depending on the
country they are in.

3. ELECTIONS, FUNCTIONS AND POWERS OF

PRESIDENT OF USA AND PRIME MINISTER OF
ENGLAND AND ALSO CABINET OF UK AND USA.

The United States of America and the United Kingdom have

different systems of government, with the president and prime
minister holding different powers and responsibilities.

• Powers of the President of the United States:

I. Chief diplomat: The president is responsible for directing

U.S. foreign policy.

II. Commander-in-chief: The president is the head of the U.S.

military and has the power to order military action.
 III. Legislative powers: The president has the power to veto
bills passed by Congress and to propose legislation.

IV. Executive powers: The president has the power to appoint

judges, ambassadors, and federal officials, and to grant
pardons.

V. Head of state: The president represents the nation in

ceremonial functions and receives foreign dignitaries.

• Functions and Powers of the Prime Minister of the

United Kingdom:

I. Head of Government: The prime minister is responsible for

leading the government and setting policy agenda.

II. Legislative powers: The prime minister is a member of

Parliament and has the power to propose legislation.

III. Leader of the Party: The prime minister is the leader of the
political party that won the most seats in the Parliament.

IV. Commander-in-chief: The prime minister is responsible for

overseeing the country's defense.

• Cabinet of the United States:

The Cabinet of the United States is appointed by the president and

serves as an advisory body. Members of the Cabinet are
responsible for overseeing specific areas of government, such as
 the Department of State, the Department of Defense, and the
Department of Treasury.

• Cabinet of the United Kingdom:

The Cabinet of the United Kingdom is appointed by the prime

minister and serves as advisers to the prime minister. Members of
the Cabinet are responsible for overseeing specific areas of
government, such as the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the
Home Office, and the Treasury.

4. THE FORMATION, ELECTION, COMPOSITION AND

POWERS OF THE PARLIAMENT OF ENGLAND AND
CONGRESS OF USA.

• Parliament of England:

Formation: The Parliament of England was formed in the thirteenth

century. It came into existence as a result of the Magna Carta, a treaty
signed between King John and his barons.

Election: The Parliament of England was created as a bicameral body,

with the House of Commons and the House of Lords as its two
chambers. Members of the House of Commons were elected by the
eligible voters of the constituency they represented, while members
of the House of Lords were appointed by the monarch.

Composition: The House of Commons has 650 elected members who

represent constituencies of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern
Ireland. The House of Lords comprises around 800 members, including
life peers, hereditary peers, and bishops.
Powers: The primary power of the Parliament of England is to make
laws. It also has the power to scrutinize and hold the government
accountable for its actions. Additionally, the Parliament has the
power to approve or reject the government's legislative proposals and
the budget.

• Congress of USA:

Formation: The Congress of USA was established in 1789 with the

ratification of the United States Constitution.

Election: Members of Congress are elected by eligible voters of their

constituency. Representatives are elected for two-year terms, while
Senators are elected for six-year terms.

Composition: The Congress of USA is made up of two chambers, the

House of Representatives and the Senate. The House has 435
members, with each member representing a congressional district of
their state. The Senate has 100 members, with each state electing two
Senators.

Powers: The Congress of USA has the power to make laws, regulate
commerce, and declare war. Additionally, it has the power to
investigate the executive branch, approve presidential appointments,
and ratify treaties. The Congress also has the power of the purse,
meaning it controls the budget and spending of the federal
government.