...A constitution is a set of principles, which may be codified or uncodified, that establishes the distribution of power within, that establishes the distribution of power within, a political institution. They limit government jurisdiction the rights of citizens and the method of amending the constitution itself. The UK Constitution is uncodified which means the UK constitution is not organised into singular document, but written in alternative ways for example a Convention. I will talk about the following factors, Executive Power, Modernisation and Flexibility which is the way ill assess the UK’s Constitution Executive Power is a strength of the UK Constitution, due to the UK Constitution being unwritten and uncodified the government can be more powerful and decisive easier as they do have to follow a strict set of rules. For example the 1997 Government rearranged the House of Lords with reforms this was quickly done and this was due to the UK not having a constitution. However, the liberals state that not having a constitution and having a strong government threatens the individual rights, the position of minorities and the influence of public opinion. For example Tony Blair decided in 2005 to declare war on Iraq without consulting the people this led to backlash from the public and protests. However, the General Elections is to choose a representative, one of the perks of having a representative is they can use their specialist knowledge to make decisions on the public’s behalf...
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...With reference to the source, outline two features of the UK constitution (5 marks) One feature would be that the UK constitution is uncodified which is a unwritten document where as in the majority of countries there is a codified constitution which is a single document an example of this would be the American constitution, drafted around 200 years ago, which is written down on a piece of paper and lays down the rights of American citizens and also the powers of her government. Another feature would be that the UK constitution derives from a number of sources one of them being statute law, law passed by government. The fact that our constitution is unwritten means that there is no system of formal checks and balances on the government but in reality there a number of powerful forces which means that a government is restricted in what they wish to do Assess the strengths of the UK constitution (25 marks) The UK constitution has many advantages too it but can also weigh our government down and doesn’t always benefit our society. One strength would be that the balance of power lies mostly in the executive branch. The Prime Minister can be very decisive and is able to make essential decisions this moves power to centralization, which is the movement of power to Westminster. An example of this would be when Thatcher refused to engage with growing cause for the devolution of powers to Scotland and Northern Ireland. This benefits...
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...to make government more accountable to Parliament c) To what extent will the coalition government’s proposals bring about an effective reform of Parliament? Jan 2012 a) With reference to the source, why are legislative committees needed? b) With reference to the source, and your own knowledge, explain the ways in which backbench MPs can call government to account c) To what extent has the formation of a coalition altered the relationship between Parliament and government? Jan 2013 a) With reference to the source, outline two criticisms of David Cameron’s appointments to the House of Lords b) With reference to the source and your own knowledge, explain three considerations that are taken into account when appointing Life Peers c) Assess the arguments in favour of a largely...
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...Politics 6GP02 Governing the UK Edexcel and BTEC Qualifications Edexcel and BTEC qualifications come from Pearson, the world’s leading learning company. We provide a wide range of qualifications including academic, vocational, occupational and specific programmes for employers. For further information visit our qualifications websites at www.edexcel.com or www.btec.co.uk for our BTEC qualifications. Alternatively, you can get in touch with us using the details on our contact us page at www.edexcel.com/contactus. If you have any subject specific questions about this specification that require the help of a subject specialist, you can speak directly to the subject team at Pearson. Their contact details can be found on this link: www.edexcel.com/teachingservices. You can also use our online Ask the Expert service at www.edexcel.com/ask. You will need an Edexcel username and password to access this service. Pearson: helping people progress, everywhere Our aim is to help everyone progress in their lives through education. We believe in every kind of learning, for all kinds of people, wherever they are in the world. We’ve been involved in education for over 150 years, and by working across 70 countries, in 100 languages, we have built an international reputation for our commitment to high standards and raising achievement through innovation in education. Find out more about how we can help you and your students at: www.pearson.com/uk Summer 2013 Publications...
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...Contents 1. Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 3 2. Definition………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 4 3. History…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 4 4. Analysis of Current Situation……………………………………………….……………………………………. 5 5. Evaluation of Strengths and Weaknesses………………………………………………………………....... 6 A. Strengths……………………………………………………………………………………………………………...... 6 I. Representing the Nation at Home and Abroad………………………........................................... 6 II. Neutral and Worthwhile Political Role………………………………............................................... 7 III. Uniting and Stabilizing the Nationality……………...……………….............................................. 7 B. Weaknesses…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 8 I. An Obsolete and Non-democratic Institution………...……………………………………………... 8 II. Obstructing the Future Development of the Britain…….………………………………………. 8 III. Expensive……………………………………………...…………………………………………………………. 9 6. Comparison to American Head of State…………………………………………………………………… 11 7. Recommendation……………………………………………..……………………………………………………. 11 8. Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 12 9. References……………………………………………..……………………………………………………………… 14 1. Introduction Monarchy was the primary government form for a majority of European countries before 1914 (Bogdanor, 1995). However, in modern Europe, few countries retain the monarchies. The United Kingdom...
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...Northern Consortium United Kingdom – Politics Past paper questions for June exam < Module 1 > Section A 1a What are the differences between Public Bills Committees and Select Committees? [5] Public Bills Committee is part of legislative process, whereas Select Committee is part of scrutiny process. In the former committee, the bill is examined by line by line to ensure that its wording and language is clear to allow any amendments on the bill. In the latter committee, there are two departments – governmental and non-governmental. They examine government departments’ expeditures , policies and policies. There are between 16 to 50 members in the PBC who are selected by Committee of Selection whose 7 out 9 members are ships. On the other hand, there are 11 members in the SCs and to eliminate “the conflict of interest, all the members are backbench members who are elected using the Alternative vote system. 2a What are the main functions of Parliament and how well does it perform them? [5] < This question is a 20-mark question > 3a What are the differences between direct and representative democracy? [5] In direct democracy, people are directly involved in decision-making processes, whereas in representative democracy, people elect MPs who will represent and form a government in Parliament. For instance, some qualified members of Athenian society were involved in decision-making and a referendum is a limited form of direct democracy. Also general elections...
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...The Fiscal Compact: A Pillar of Understanding: In this project we will look at the Fiscal Compact Treaty which came into effect on the 1st of January 2013. Firstly, we will briefly outline the various factors that led to the signing of the Treaty. Following this we will assess the rules established under the Treaty and how the Treaty will impact future fiscal policy. Furthermore, we will compare and contrast which method of ratification, public referendum or a vote in parliament is more suitable for Ireland when it comes to deciding on EU matters, such as the Fiscal Compact. In addition to that we will interview a person who has strong convictions regarding the Fiscal Compact. To conclude, we will present our opinions and recommendations based upon our research and findings. We will seek to predict whether the Treaty will solve the Eurozone Crisis or plunge the EMU into greater financial instability. Background and Contributing Factors A number of factors contributed to the signing of the Fiscal Compact Treaty on 2 March 2012 (European Council, 2013). Although the Eurozone crisis was the main driving force behind the signing of the Fiscal Compact, a number of flaws existed before the collapse of the Eurozone (McArdle, 2012). McArdle (2012) notes that a major drawback was the fact that the Eurozone didn’t have a common fiscal policy. A “Stability and Growth Pact” (SGP) was passed and came into effect on the 1st January 1999 and made a number of key structural changes (McArdle...
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...GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS AS LEVEL UNIT TWO GOVERNING THE UK “Never, never, never give up” Winston S Churchill 1874-1965 1 GOVERNING THE UK 50% of AS [25% of A2] UNIT TWO SAMPLE QUESTION Answer one question from Section A and one question from Section B in 80 minutes. Spend 40 minutes on Section A and 40 minutes on Section B SECTION A QUESTION ONE PRIME MINISTERIAL POWER “For too long the big political decisions in this country have been made in the wrong place. They are not made around the Cabinet table where they should be, but they are taken on the sofa in Tony Blair’s office. No notes are kept and no one takes the blame when things go wrong. That arrogant style of government must come to an end. I will restore the proper process of government. I want to be Prime Minister of this country not a President (Source: David Cameron, The Times, 5th October 2006) “The Cabinet is the committee at the centre of the British political system. Every Thursday during Parliament, Secretaries of State from all departments as well as other ministers meet in the Cabinet Room in Downing Street to discuss the big issues of the day. The Prime Minister chairs the meeting, selects its members and also recommends their appointment as ministers to the monarch. The present Cabinet has 23 members (21 MPs and two peers). The secretary of the Cabinet is responsible for preparing records of its discussions and decisions”. (Source: From a modern textbook) (a) What...
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...Edexcel AS Politics Edexcel AS Politics ExamBuster 2009 Introduction to Unit 1- People and Politics Understanding the Examination and Exam Technique Choosing your questions In this unit you are presented with four questions. They are of equal value and each question covers one of the four sections of the specification. These are: Democracy and political participation Party policies and ideas Elections Pressure groups There is no significance to the order in which questions appear. Each question is divided into three sections (a), (b) and (c). When choosing which questions to do, the following principles are recommended: It is almost certain that you will be better off choosing your strongest question to do first. You should choose questions on the basis of how well you can answer the section (c) part. The (c) part carries 25 of the 40 marks available for the whole answer. Do not choose a question simply because you can do part (a) especially well. The (a) question is only worth 5 marks. It would be illogical to choose your strongest (a) part if you cannot do well on section (c). If you cannot decide between several (c) parts, i.e. you can do more than one equally well, make your choice on the basis of part (b) which carries 10 marks. But remember, it is the (c) parts that will determine most what your overall mark will be. So, when you first look at the exam paper, look at the (c) sections first. Assessment Objectives Each question is divided into three sections,...
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...Human Rights 1. The nature and Development of human rights The definition of human rights * Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) sets out the fundamental purpose for recognizing human rights * In the general sense, human rights refer to basic rights and freedoms that are believed to belong to all human beings * As stated in the UDHR, these rights differ from ordinary rights under domestic law as they are considered to be universal, inalienable (cannot be taken away) and inherent to all people. Developing recognition of human rights * The abolition of slavery * The campaign for universal suffrage * The trade union movement and labour rights * The right of a group to self-determination * Emerging environmental rights * The attempt to establish a right to peace The abolition of slavery * Slavery is a type of forced labour where a person is considered to be the legal property of another * Slavery was practiced legally until the 20th century * Common forms of slavery involved: debt slavery (forced to pay off a loan with labour), slavery as punishment for crime, prisoners of war committed to slavery * Moves to abolish slavery and slave trading began in the 12th century, e.g. Iceland abolished slavery in 1117 * During the 17th – 19th century, the transatlantic slave trade (the trading of African people by Europeans, transporting them as slaves from Africa to the colonies of the New World) was in action as Europeans...
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...consists!of!two!chambers!or!houses! Minister)–!A!minister!is!both!a!member!of!parliament!and!a!member!of!the!executive.!This!means!a!minister!is!usually!in!charge!of!a!government! department!that!is!responsible!for!enacting!the!law! ! Australian Parliamentary System Under!the!Australian!federal!system!of!government,!the!country!is!divided!into!states!and!territories!each!with!its!own!parliament!–!making!a!total!of!9! parliaments.! • Commonwealth,)6)States,)2)Territories! They! are! elected! by! the! people! and! represent! the! needs! of! the! people.! Members! are! also! responsible! to! the! parliament! and! the! people! for! their! actions.!The)APS)is)based)on)the)Westminster)system)that)was)adopted)by)the)Commonwealth)constitution)in)1900,)as)originally)Australia)and)its) states) were) British) Colonies.! The! Commonwealth! and! State! Parliaments! operate! on! a! bicameral! structure! –! 2! Houses! –! Upper! and! Lower! houses.! Exception:!QLD!and!territories!have!only!one!house!–!Lower!House.! ! Bicameral Structure Upper)House) Lower)House) Federal!Commonwealth!Parliament!–!...
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...Writing business plans and marketing strategy can be simple. See the free business plan and marketing plan sample/template. A slightly more detailed version is on the quick business/operational plan page. Business planning might appear very complex but in essence its common sense, and begins with some very simple business start-up principles. To explore personal direction and change (for example for early planning of self-employment or new business start-up) see the passion-to-profit exercise and template on the teambuilding exercises page. Planning a new business or business project must at some stage address a few financial details, and challenges and opportunities relating to modern technology, the internet, websites, etc. However the techniques of how to write strategic business plans (or a strategic marketing plan) remain basically straight-forward. Business planning and marketing strategy are mostly common-sense and logic, based on cause and effect. Here are tips, examples, techniques, tools and a process for writing a marketing strategy, business and sales plans, to produce effective results. This free online guide explains how to put together a marketing strategy, basic business plan, and a sales plan, including free templates and examples, such as the Ansoff and Boston matrix tools. New pages are being added soon on advertising, sales promotion, PR (public relations) and press releases, sales enquiry lead generation, advertising copy-writing, internet...
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...FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT OF COURTS BUDGET Programme Director, Tererai Mafukidze Members of the South African Judges Commission, Members of the Venice Commission Various Professionals and members here present, Distinguished Guests, Registrars from various parts of the world, Ladies and Gentlemen Protocol observed. I am humbled to address this auspicious gathering of the South African Judges Commission and Venice Commissions Registrar’s workshop held in our most beautiful land, South Africa. Allow me, therefore, to extend a warm word of welcome to all newly appointed Registrars and also pay recognition to those of you who have been a pillar of strength at your various organizations ensuring enhanced administrative support and capacitating the Judiciary that you serve. You are indeed a critical foundation on which the future of judicial effectiveness lies. Ladies and Gentlemen: I have been requested to talk about Financial Management, Management of Courts Budgets and its Challenges. I am sure you will agree with me that anyone requested to talk about this topic, can do so for the whole day or two or even a week. I am saying so precisely because financial Management, Management of Courts Budget and its Challenges are extensive and to sum this up in 30 minutes is in itself a challenge. INTRODUCTION It is said that if managers expect their subordinates to adopt any of their wishes or characteristics, such as frugal qualities in the workplace, managers themselves must...
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...of the industry by British Airways. The company was established as the “offshoot” of virgin group which as at then was a key player in the pop and rock music. Since it was founded, it has enjoyed great success and rose to become Britain second largest carrier with more than 9000 employees and estimated to have carried more than 53 million passengers since it first operation in 1984(BBC Business, 2013). The ownership of the company share between virgin group who owns 51% and Delta airline owned 49%, an arrangement that was concluded in 1999 to form a more formidable global partnership; it has its corporate head office in Crawley, England. Gatwick remain the main base of VAA and operates a mixed fleet Airbus and Boeing wide-body jet between UK, North America, Caribbean, Africa and Middle East, it also operates from London Heathrow and Manchester which serves as its secondary base. Virgin Atlantic Airline has a mission to grow profitable airline where people love to fly and where people love to work. TASK ONE 1A: Purpose and objectives of (VAA) with Fire service. Organizations are into operation for various reasons; this could be for the purpose of making profit or for service rendering purpose. The legal structure which business chooses is fundamental to the way it operates, who shares in the profits and loss, tax to be paid and where legal liabilities rests are...
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...FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT OF COURTS BUDGET Programme Director, Tererai Mafukidze Members of the South African Judges Commission, Members of the Venice Commission Various Professionals and members here present, Distinguished Guests, Registrars from various parts of the world, Ladies and Gentlemen Protocol observed. I am humbled to address this auspicious gathering of the South African Judges Commission and Venice Commissions Registrar’s workshop held in our most beautiful land, South Africa. Allow me, therefore, to extend a warm word of welcome to all newly appointed Registrars and also pay recognition to those of you who have been a pillar of strength at your various organizations ensuring enhanced administrative support and capacitating the Judiciary that you serve. You are indeed a critical foundation on which the future of judicial effectiveness lies. Ladies and Gentlemen: I have been requested to talk about Financial Management, Management of Courts Budgets and its Challenges. I am sure you will agree with me that anyone requested to talk about this topic, can do so for the whole day or two or even a week. I am saying so precisely because financial Management, Management of Courts Budget and its Challenges are extensive and to sum this up in 30 minutes is in itself a challenge. INTRODUCTION It is said that if managers expect their subordinates to adopt any of their wishes or characteristics, such as frugal qualities in the workplace, managers themselves...
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