Britain Wrap Up

The United States and Britain are very different. For one, they are different continents, but their systems of government are different as well.
The United States’ government is unique in its own right. Consisting of three branches: legislative, judicial, and executive, there are various checks and balances on powers which allow all branches to have equal amounts of power. The legislative body, is the focus of this article because the legislative body is divided into bicameral or two house system. These two houses are called the House of Representatives and the Senate. Within congress, laws are made and passed. Although Congress does not have the authority to execute laws because that is the job of the judicial branch, Congress passes laws with the hope that they will be passed and put into effect. The head of the whole United States Government is Barack Obama
The Government of Great Britain is modeled after the Westminster model which is different from the United States. Parliament, which is the equivalent to both the House and Senate, is made up of two houses: the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Instead of having a president, Government is run by the Prime Minister and the State is run by the Queen. Parliament has cabinet members and unlike the President of the United Sates, the Prime Minister, currently David Cameron, is called into government and questioned for at least 30 minutes during Prime Ministers Questions. Government in Britain is brutal and every single move by the Prime Minister is closely monitored.
The difference between US government and Britain’s government is that Britain’s government has developed a system which holds its leaders accountable and laws are easily passed. Though this seems like a good thing, the US constituents, although are not happy currently, feel that they have a greater voice within government than citizens in Great Britain do.
In terms of deficit spending and ridding the country of debt, the US and Britain have taken various approached. The US approach was through a huge Stimulus Package which pumped a lot of money into the economy and tax benefits to all citizens.
Unlike the US, Britain has taken steps in reducing their deficit debt. They have recently passed an austerity plan, and although citizens are not happy with it, it will rid the country of their debt in four years.
The major difference between governments is the time is takes to pass a law. The US is facing government being deadlocked for two years due to the House majority with the Republicans and the Senate majority with the Democrats. Meanwhile, Britain is instituting community based programs that will help to eliminate the deficit. Due to the government makeup and party system, one could argue that Britain is doing better than the United States. Even though the two governments face different challenges, they are still both leaders in the world.
I have taken away so much from British politics this year. For one, the United States doesn’t exactly seem to be the world leader in everything that we claim to be. We have flaws that desperately need to be fixed, but we have such a voice in government and easy access to our representatives that everything starts to balance out.
For all governments, times are hard. Times are hard for everyone. These next few years will be a challenge for everyone throughout the world and it will be interesting to follow the race to see who will come out on top politically, economically, etc.