What are the differences between the UK and US political systems?
I can explain and compare some of the key differences and similarities between the UK and the US political systems.
- Year 9
What are the differences between the UK and US political systems?
I can explain and compare some of the key differences and similarities between the UK and the US political systems.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The UK monarch is the Head of State and the Prime Minister is Head of Government.
- The US President is both Head of State and Government.
- The UK Parliament has two houses, but only the House of Commons is elected; both houses of US Congress are elected.
- The UK Prime Minister is the leader of the largest party in Parliament. The US President is elected every four years.
- The UK Parliament is sovereign. In the US, power is split so that no branch holds more power than another.
Keywords
Government - the group of people with the authority to govern a country; in the UK, the Government is chosen and led by the Prime Minister (PM)
Legislative - the lawmaking body of a state or country; this is Parliament in the UK
Executive - the branch of the Government that is responsible for putting laws or decisions into effect; the Prime Minister is the leader of the executive branch in the UK
Common misconception
Because both countries are democracies, the UK and the US political systems are the same.
Both countries are democracies but they differ: for example, the UK has a parliamentary system where only the House of Commons is elected, while the US has a presidential system where voters elect both houses of Congress and the President separately.
Equipment
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the best definition of democracy?
Q2.In the UK, there are two houses of Parliament: the House of Commons and the House of ...
Q3.Which of these is not one of the three main branches of power of UK state?
Q4.General elections in the UK must happen at least every years.
Q5.Match the term to its definition.
Q6.Rearrange these words to form a sentence about how the US gets its leader.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the term to the statement.
