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.
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.
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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; US Congress has two fully elected houses.
- 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
Becuase 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.
To help you plan your year 9 citizenship lesson on: What are the differences between the UK and US political systems?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 9 citizenship lesson on: What are the differences between the UK and US political systems?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 3 citizenship lessons from the How is the UK governed? unit, dive into the full secondary citizenship curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
leads the UK government
Head of State and Government in the US
elected to the UK House of Commons
members of the US Senate
elected to the US House of Representatives
UK’s Head of State with a ceremonial role
Exit quiz
6 Questions
responsible for enforcing the law; legal branch
responsible for making and changing laws
responsible for putting laws and policies into effect