There Are Two Assignments In The Module Now You Have Some

There Are Two Assignments In The Moduleso Now You Have Some Sense Of H

There are two assignments in the Module. Now you have some sense of how the world works and you also got some visuals to think about. Now let us try to look at the two founding countries that paved the way for Modern State. DUE June 4. Click on the links and read each chapter carefully: 1. Great Britain 2. France one, two, three, four, five.

Question: Identify 5 major differences between these two democracies in 3 pages.

Paper For Above instruction

The task at hand is to compare and contrast the two foundational democracies of Great Britain and France, exploring their differences through a clear analytical lens. This paper aims to elucidate five major distinctions grounded in historical development, political structures, legal systems, electoral mechanisms, and cultural influences. With a focus on establishing a comprehensive understanding within a minimum of three pages, the analysis will draw on credible sources and scholarly literature to substantiate observations.

To begin, it is essential to understand that although both Great Britain and France are considered vital influences on modern democratic governance, their political evolution follows markedly different trajectories rooted in their unique histories. The United Kingdom's democracy is characterized by its gradual development over centuries, primarily through constitutional monarchy and parliamentary sovereignty, whereas France's democratic evolution was more tumultuous, marked by revolutionary upheavals and the establishment of republican forms of government.

1. Historical Foundations and Constitutional Development

Great Britain's political system evolved gradually from medieval monarchies, culminating in a constitutional monarchy where parliamentary sovereignty is paramount. The UK's Parliament has historically wielded supreme legislative authority, with a constitutional framework that emphasizes tradition and gradual change (Dicey, 1885). In contrast, France's democratic institutions were established through revolutionary upheavals, notably the French Revolution of 1789, which resulted in a series of republics, empires, and shifting regimes, emphasizing republicanism and secular authority (Furet, 1988).

2. Political Structure and Governance

The United Kingdom operates as a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system, where the monarch's powers are largely ceremonial, and real political power resides with Parliament and the Prime Minister (Lijphart, 1999). Conversely, France is a semi-presidential republic with a President serving as head of state and a Prime Minister as head of government, with significant executive powers vested in the presidency, especially in recent times (Linz & Stepan, 1996). This fundamental structural difference influences policymaking and political stability.

3. Legal System and Judicial Authority

Great Britain employs a common law legal system based on case law and judicial precedents, which allows for flexibility and evolution in legal interpretation (Cotterrell, 2003). France, on the other hand, adopts a civil law system rooted in the Napoleonic Code, emphasizing codified statutes and comprehensive legal codes that guide judicial processes (Stone, 2002). These systems reflect broader cultural and historical distinctions impacting judicial independence and legal procedures.

4. Electoral Systems and Representation

The UK primarily uses a first-past-the-post electoral system for its House of Commons, fostering majority governments and often leading to two-party dominance (Birch, 2003). France employs a two-round system for presidential elections and a proportional representation system for legislative elections, promoting broader representation and coalition governments (L'Huillier & Simon, 2008). These differences affect political competition and voter engagement.

5. Cultural Influences and Democratic Values

Cultural factors play a significant role in shaping democratic principles. Britain emphasizes traditions of liberalism, rule of law, and gradual reform (Bourne, 2007). France's democratic identity is intertwined with revolutionary ideals of liberté, égalité, fraternité, emphasizing secularism and civic nationalism (Gildea, 2000). These core values influence governance styles and policy priorities.

Conclusion

In summary, Great Britain and France exemplify contrasting models of democracy rooted in their unique historical trajectories, institutional arrangements, legal traditions, electoral mechanisms, and cultural values. The British system's emphasis on constitutional monarchy and parliamentary sovereignty sharply differs from France's republican, secular, and revolutionary origins. Understanding these distinctions enriches our comprehension of how different democratic systems function and adapt over time.

References

Birch, S. (2003). Electoral systems and political representation. Routledge.

Bourne, K. (2007). The British Political System. Palgrave Macmillan.

Cotterrell, R. (2003). Law, culture and society: Cases and materials. Routledge.

Dicey, A. V. (1885). An Introduction to the Study of the Law of the Constitution. Macmillan.

Furet, F. (1988). The French Revolution. Blackwell Publishing.

Gildea, R. (2000). France Since 1945. Oxford University Press.

L'Huillier, J. & Simon, F. (2008). French Elections: A Dual System. Cambridge University Press.

Lijphart, A. (1999). Patterns of democracy: Government forms and performance in thirty-six countries. Yale University Press.

Linz, J. J., & Stepan, A. (1996). Problems of Democratic Transition and Consolidation: Southern Europe, South America, and Post-Communist Europe. Johns Hopkins University Press.

Stone, P. (2002). The Civil Law Tradition: An Introduction to the Legal Systems of Europe and Latin America. Oxford University Press.