英国国家概况 Unit2

1）How has the English monarchy evolved gradually to the present constitutional monarchy?British monarchy evolution was started from the bourgeois revolution in 1640, experienced the civil war, republic, Cromwell military dictatorship phase and the “glorious revolution”four times. British constitutional monarchy is accumulated gradually in the revolution that is out of the perfect, the incompleteness of revolution and compromising make kingship and their representative preserve the systems Enclosure, but the modern constitutional monarchy regime has formed the system of the responsibility cabinet and political party, the parliamentary strength has declined, cabinet became the core power of the nation, the party plays a much bigger role in politics.2）How did the doctrine of the “divine right of kings”, according to the author, lead to the English Civil War? What do you know about the causes of the English Revolution in the 17th century?King James I believed the divine right of kings, so did his descent---Charles I. Charles I called his t Parliament only when he needed to collect money. The Civil War was caused by a dispute over the power of the king against Parliament in the 17th C. The Republican “Roundheads, led by Oliver Cromwell, wanted to abolish the monarchy and to reassert the rights of Parliament. In 1642, the royalists were defeated and King Charles I was executed in 1649. The English Civil Warnot only overthrew feudal in England but also shook the foundation of the feudal rule in Europe. It is generally regarded as the beginning of modern world history. The Civil War was in essence a capitalist revolution because capitalism paved its way of developmentafter the war.3)history: In feudal England,England had came through a lot: Norman Rule including William and Henry, the Great Charter, signed in 1215,which meant the beginning of Parliament.Then in August 1642, the Civil War between the Parliament and the King began.It not only overthrew feudal system in England but also shook the foundation of the feudal rule in Europe. Then the Glorious Revolution of 1688 meant every English monarchy ruled by permission of Parliament since then.Role: real sovereignty, country gentry, merchants,artisans4). the major charactersitics and the main content of the British constitutioncharacteristics:1.The UK has no written constitution in any document,2.The constitution is only partly written and contained in multiple documents,3. the constitution is flexible.the major Content: ( the British constitution consists of multiple documents including the written part and the entire body of laws encactedby Parliament, precedents and so on.)1. Statue law2. common law3. conventions5）.Why does the author say that parliament is supreme in the British state? What function does parliament have? What role does the Queen (King) and the Prime Minister play in British government?The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom and British overseas territories. Parliament alone has parliamentary sovereignty and thereby ultimate power over all other political bodies in the United Kingdom and its territories.In a monarchy a king or queen is Head of State. This means that, while The Queen is Head of State, the ability to make and pass legislation resides with an elected Parliament. Although the British Sovereign no longer has a political or executive role, he or she continues to play an important part in the life of the nation. As Head of State, the Queen undertakes constitutional and representational duties which have developed over one thousand years of history. In addition to these State duties, The Queen has a less formal role as 'Head of Nation'. She acts as a focus for national identity, unity and pride; gives a sense of stability and continuity; officially recognizes success and excellence; and supports theideal of public and voluntary service.Prime Minister is the nucleus of Cabinet.1.Patronage of Important Personnel2. Top Executive Power3. Control of Cabinet and Its Activities4. Leadership of Government.5. Control of Government’s Financial Situation6. Deciding the Date for a General Election7. Actual Domination over Parliament6）What kind of institution(部门) is the House of Lords（上议院）? What role dose it play in government?A: It consists of the Lords Spiritual(神职议员)who are the Archbishops(大主教) and most prominent（杰出的，卓越的）bishop（主教）of the church of England and the Lords Temporal(世俗议员)，which refers to everyone else。