Chapter 4

Q. Make a comparative study of powers and position of the Prime Minister of

Britain and the President of USA.
Ans:- The political systems of the United Kingdom and the United States, though
rooted in democratic principles, exhibit distinct structures and powers for their
respective heads of government. The powers and positions of the Prime Minister
of Britain and the President of the USA have similarities and differences:
Similarities:
1. Executive Powers: Both the Prime Minister (PM) of Britain and the
President of the USA are the heads of their respective governments and
hold significant executive powers. They oversee the administration, make
policy decisions, and lead their nations in both domestic and foreign affairs.
2. Cabinet Formation: Both the PM and the President have the authority to
appoint ministers or secretaries to their cabinets. These officials assist in
policymaking and managing various government departments.
3. Party Leaders: Both leaders usually come from the majority party in their
respective parliamentary or congressional systems. They play a crucial role
in leading their parties and shaping legislative agendas.
Differences:
1. Selection Process: The Prime Minister in the UK is not directly elected by
the public. Instead, they are the leader of the majority party in the House of
Commons. Conversely, the President of the USA is elected separately by the
citizens through the Electoral College system.
2. Separation of Powers: In the US, there is a clear separation of powers
between the executive (President), legislative (Congress), and judicial
branches. The Prime Minister in the UK, however, is a member of the
legislative branch (House of Commons) and is not as distinctly separated
from the legislature.
3. Term Length: The President of the USA serves a fixed four-year term and
can be re-elected once, for a maximum of two terms. The tenure of a Prime
 Minister in the UK depends on their ability to maintain the confidence of
the House of Commons, and they can serve indefinitely if their party retains
majority support.
Comparative Analysis:
While both the Prime Minister and the President hold significant executive
powers, their authority is shaped by the distinct political structures of their
countries. The Prime Minister’s power is rooted in parliamentary support,
fostering a close link between the executive and legislative branches. In contrast,
the US President’s authority is more independently exercised, with checks and
balances designed to prevent the concentration of power. The roles and
responsibilities of these leaders reflect the diverse approaches to governance
within the UK and the USA.
In summary, while both the Prime Minister of Britain and the President of
the USA hold important executive roles, their methods of selection, powers, and
relationships with their respective legislatures differ significantly.

Q. Make a comparison between the House of Lords of the UK and the Senate of
the USA.
Ans:- The House of Lords in the United Kingdom and the Senate in the United
States are both integral components of their respective bicameral legislative
systems. Despite serving similar functions as upper houses, these institutions
exhibit distinctive features that shape their roles within their respective political
landscapes.
Similarities:
1. Bicameral Legislature: Both the UK and the USA have a bicameral
legislature, with an upper house (House of Lords in the UK, Senate in the
USA) and a lower house (House of Commons in the UK, House of
Representatives in the USA).
2. Review and Revision: Both the House of Lords and the Senate play roles in
reviewing and revising legislation proposed by the lower house. They serve
as a revising chamber to ensure the thorough examination of laws.
 3. Appointment Method: Members of the House of Lords are appointed,
comprising life peers, bishops, and hereditary peers. Similarly, Senators in
the US are appointed, each state having two senators chosen by popular
vote.
Dissimilarities:
1. Appointment vs. Election: One significant difference is the method of
composition. The House of Lords is not elected by the public; instead,
members are appointed based on various criteria. In contrast, Senators in
the USA are directly elected by the public through a popular vote.
2. Composition: The House of Lords includes life peers, bishops, and
hereditary peers, reflecting a mix of appointed and inherited positions. In
contrast, the US Senate consists entirely of elected senators, with each
state having an equal representation of two senators.
3. Constitutional Role: The House of Lords in the UK is not a co-equal
legislative body with the House of Commons; it mainly serves as a revising
chamber. In the USA, the Senate holds significant powers and is considered
an equal partner with the House of Representatives in the legislative
process.
4. Hereditary Positions: While the House of Lords historically included
hereditary peers, their number has been reduced. In the Senate, hereditary
positions do not exist, and members are elected based on popular vote.
In conclusion, the House of Lords and the Senate share the fundamental purpose
of serving as upper houses in bicameral legislative systems.

Q. Discuss the differences between US Constitution and British Constitution.

Ans-
Introduction: The United States Constitution and the British Constitution are
fundamental legal documents that shape the governance structures of their
respective nations. Despite both serving as cornerstones of their constitutional
frameworks, there are notable differences between the two.
Some key differences are -
 1. Nature of the Constitution:
United States: Codified constitution with a written document outlining
fundamental principles and laws.
British: Uncodified constitution, relying on statutes, common law, and
conventions.
2. Flexibility:
United States: Amendments require a rigorous process, providing stability but
making changes challenging.
British: Flexibility through evolution, allowing for constitutional changes without a
formal amendment process.
3. Separation of Powers:
United States: Clear separation of legislative, executive, and judicial powers.
British: Fusion of powers, with the executive branch emerging from the legislative
branch.
4. Head of State and Head of Government:
United States: Distinct roles with the President as both head of state and
government.
British: Monarch as ceremonial head of state, and Prime Minister as head of
government.
5. Bicameralism:
United States: Strict bicameral legislature with the Senate and House of
Representatives.
British: Bicameral system with the House of Commons and House of Lords, but
less rigid separation.
6. Bill of Rights:
United States: Explicit Bill of Rights protecting individual freedoms.
British: No single codified Bill of Rights; rights are scattered across various laws.
 7. Judicial Review:
United States: Strong tradition of judicial review, allowing courts to interpret and
invalidate laws.
British: Limited judicial review; Parliament’s supremacy often prevails.
Conclusion: In summary, the US Constitution and the British Constitution embody
distinct philosophies of governance. The former, with its explicit and amendable
written framework, reflects a commitment to defined principles.

Q. Compare the powers, functions and role of the Speaker of the House of
Commons of the British Parliament and the Speaker of the House of
Representatives of US Congress.
Ans- Both the Speaker of the House of Commons in the British Parliament and the
Speaker of the House of Representatives in the US Congress hold crucial roles in
their respective legislative bodies.
Similarities:
1. Presiding Officer: Both speakers serve as the presiding officers of their
chambers, maintaining order during debates and ensuring parliamentary
procedures are followed.
2. Casting Vote: In the event of a tie, both speakers have the authority to cast
the deciding vote.
3. Committee Appointments: They play a key role in the appointment of
committee members, influencing the legislative process.
Dissimilarities:
1. Political Affiliation:
UK Speaker: Traditionally, the Speaker in the House of Commons is expected to
renounce their party affiliation upon taking office to maintain impartiality.
US Speaker: The Speaker of the House of Representatives in the US Congress is
typically a senior member of the majority party and is a partisan figure.
 2. Selection Process:
UK Speaker: Elected by Members of Parliament (MPs) through a secret ballot.
US Speaker: Elected by members of the House of Representatives, usually from
the majority party.
3. Debating Role:
UK Speaker: Generally refrains from participating in debates to remain impartial.
US Speaker: Can actively participate in debates, advocating for their party’s
positions.
4. Committee Participation:
UK Speaker: Traditionally does not participate in committee work.
US Speaker: May be involved in committee work but usually delegates this
responsibility.
5. Term Length:
UK Speaker: Generally serves until they choose to retire or are no longer an MP.
US Speaker: Elected at the beginning of each new Congress, so their term is two
years.
6. Impeachment Role:
UK Speaker: Does not play a direct role in the impeachment process.
US Speaker: May play a significant role in the initiation of impeachment
proceedings as the House of Representatives is responsible for bringing articles of
impeachment.
While both positions share fundamental responsibilities, the differences
arise from the distinct political systems and traditions of the United Kingdom and
the United States.
Q. Compare the Britain Cabinet and US Cabinet.
Ans- Both the British Cabinet and the US Cabinet serve as key advisory bodies to
their respective heads of government. Here are some similarities and
dissimilarities:
Similarities:
1. Advisory Role: Both cabinets advise the head of government – the Prime
Minister in the UK and the President in the US – on policy matters and
decision-making.
2. Executive Branch: Both cabinets are part of the executive branch of
government, responsible for implementing and enforcing laws.
3. Ministers: Both cabinets consist of ministers responsible for specific
government departments or portfolios. These ministers oversee the
implementation of policies within their areas of responsibility.
Dissimilarities:
1. Selection Process: In the UK, members of the Cabinet are typically
Members of Parliament chosen by the Prime Minister. In the US, Cabinet
members are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
2. Head of State vs. Head of Government: The UK has a constitutional
monarchy with a separate head of state (monarch) and head of
government (Prime Minister). The US combines the roles of head of state
and head of government in the President.
3. Fixed vs. Flexible Membership: The UK Cabinet has a fixed membership,
typically composed of senior ministers. In the US, the Cabinet’s composition
can vary, and the President can appoint additional advisory positions.
4. Legislative Connection: In the UK, Cabinet members are drawn from the
Parliament. In the US, Cabinet members are not required to be members of
Congress.
5. Role of Vice President: The Vice President in the US is often a key member
of the Cabinet and may have specific responsibilities, while in the UK, the
Deputy Prime Minister may or may not be part of the Cabinet.
These differences reflect the distinct political and constitutional structures of the
two countries.