12 markers politics

Prime minister/ president similarities

* Both commander in chief
* Both have control over the legislative
* both have control over the cabinet

President/ prime minister differences

* President is the head of state and the prime minister is not
* Prime minister is part of the legislative in the UK
* President can approve and submit budget while the prime minister can only approve by voting on it

Rights similarities

* Both have pressure groups to protect the rights of citizens
* The rights are generally similar, US have the bill of rights and the UK have the HRA
* If rights are violated it can be taken to court and settled

Rights differences

* Rights are not entrenched in the UK like they are in the US
* Constitution in the US is sovereign


* Supreme court has more power in the US to strike down laws ( roe v wade)

Pressure Groups similarities

* Both have similar funding through donations and membership
* Both contribute to create a pluralists society where decisions are made with input from many areas\]


* pressure groups are both restricted by legislation and laws regarding direct action

Pressure Groups differences

* There are no outsider groups in the US
* US groups often fund legal battles that are related to their cause

Constitution similarities

* Both have bicameral chambers in their structure
* Both can be changed by their legislative branches
* Both provide representative democracies

Constitution differences

- the US has a codified constitution, UK does not
- US creates a separation of powers through federalism where as UK has both the legislative and the executive together
- the American constitution is sovereign where as parliament is sovereign in the UK constitution

Voting Behaviour similarities

* Education-based voting
* Age
* Income

Voting Behaviour differences

* Gender seems to have more of an effect in the US
* Regional voting are differently voted, the US has much more important swing states
* US can have a split ticket in their elections, presidency, senator etc

Parties similarities

* Both systems have a two party system
* Functions of the parties are the same
* Both have party leader, person that runs for presidency/ prime minister

Parties differences

* Two party system in the US, multiparty system in the UK
* Party control doesnt exist in the US as they don't have whips
* More third party influence in the UK, especially since the coalition

Parliament and Congress similarities

* Bicameral as both institutions have two chambers
* Both have a speaker and the structure is similar
* Both have legislative power over the executive, vote of no confidence and impeachment

Parliament and Congress differences

* HOL is unelected


* Representatives in the US have a two year cycle
* Executive is in the legislative in the UK