THE STRUCTURE OF

GOVERNMENT
Legislature, Executive, Judiciary
 INTRODUCTION

🞆This lesson will be based mostly on the system of

government existing in Jamaica.
🞆The Jamaican government is a constitutional
monarchy
🞆Its political system is a parliamentary democracy and
is based on a representational system of government.
🞆It has three independent branches:
⚫Legislature: makes and repeals laws
⚫Executive: sets policies
⚫Judiciary: enforces and interprets the law
STRUCTURE OF GOVERNMENT
 HEAD OF STATE
🞆 The Queen of England is the head of state.
🞆 The local representative is the Governor General
🞆 The Governor General is appointed by the Queen based on the
recommendation of the Prime Minister
🞆 The appointed Governor General should not have any affiliation
to any political party.
🞆 Appoints:
⚫ Prime Minister
⚫ Opposition Leader
⚫ Independent Senators
⚫ Members of the Local Privy Council
🞆 On the advice of the Prime Minister:
🞆Dismisses or appoints ministers
🞆Dissolve the legislature
 THE LEGISLATIVE ARM OF GOVERNMENT

🞆 The legislative arm of government is the lawmaking

branch of government
🞆 Legislatures may be unicameral or bicameral.
⚫ Bicameral: system of government in which the legislature
comprises two houses.
⚫ Unicameral: system of government in which the legislature
comprises one house.
 THE STRUCTURE OF PARLIAMENT
🞆Consists of two Houses:
⚫The Senate/Upper House (21 in Jamaican
Government)
⚫House of Representatives/Lower House (60 in
Jamaican Government)
🞆Parliament is appointed once every five years
 THE SENATE
🞆 Nominated by Prime Minister, Opposition Leader, and or
Governor General and are called Senators
🞆 Those nominated by the Head of State are called Independent
Senators because they do not represent any political party
🞆 Those nominated by the Prime Minister are called
Government Senators
🞆 Those nominated by the Leader of the Opposition are called
Opposition Senators.
🞆 The majority of the Senators are nominated by the Prime
Minister, which gives the government the majority of the votes
in Senate.
 FUNCTIONS OF THE SENATE
🞆 Consider all bills passed in the House of Representatives
before they can become law
🞆 May introduce any Bill except one of a financial nature
 THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
🞆 Comprises the elected members of Cabinet, other elected
members of the governing party, and elected members of
the opposition party
🞆 Most Bills are started in the lower house
🞆 All enacted Bills must be passed by the majority in the
lower house
🞆 They have control over the Government’s finances
🞆 Funds cannot be granted without the approval of the
House.
 FUNCTIONS OF THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES
🞆Passes legislations
🞆Repeals legislation
🞆Amends the constitution when necessary
🞆Approves the national budget
🞆Authorizes the expenditure of national funds
🞆Ratifies international treaties
🞆Examines government’s activities and performance
through parliamentary questions
HOW THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WORK
People Functions/Roles
The Speaker Regulates debates and maintains order
in the House by enforcing the Standing
Orders

The Deputy Speaker Deputizes for the speaker in his/her

absence

The Clerk of Parliament •Advices the speaker on parliamentary

procedures
•Prepares the Order Paper and
distributes it
•Ensures that records are made of
Parliamentary debates in Hansard.
HOW THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WORK (CONTINUED)
People
The Leader of Government Business
Prime Minister & Cabinet (called the
front bench)
Non-cabinet members of the governing
party (called the back bench)
Opposition Leader & elected Opposition
members (Shadow Cabinet)
Functions/Roles
Introduces matters for debate on behalf of
the government
•Defend the work of their Ministries
•Introduce Bills related to their Ministries
•Support policies and legislations
introduced by members of the party
•Introduce Private Member Bills
•Examine government’s business and
performance
•Present the Opposition as the alternative
government
•Criticise and oppose controversial
government policies