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 War not 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 development

after 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,artisans

4). the major charactersitics and the main content of the British

constitution

characteristics:

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 encacted by Parliament, precedents and so on.)

1. Statue law 2. common law 3. conventions

5）.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 the ideal of public and voluntary service.

Prime Minister is the nucleus of Cabinet.

1. Patronage of Important Personnel 2. Top Executive Power

3. Control of Cabinet and Its Activities 4. Leadership of Government.

5. Control of Government’s Financial Situation

6. Deciding the Date for a General Election

7. Actual Domination over Parliament

6）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。②They inherited(继承) the seat from their