- •1. Describe the geographical position of the British Isles, offering an explanation for its advantages and disadvantages. Define the term «continental shelf», its importance for the economy.
- •3. Examine the main stages in the formation of the population of Great Britain (Ancient Britain, Celts, Romans, and Anglo- Saxons).
- •4.Describe the Danish raids of England. The struggle of Alfred the Great and its results.
- •5. Outline the Norman Conquest and the establishment of feudalism in England and further consolidation of the English state. The main dates in the formation of the u.K.
- •6. Give the main characteristics of the modern population of Great Britain. What languages are spoken in the u.K. And why? Refer to the visible minority and its role.
- •7. Analyse some national traits of the British people and their traditions, their private life, eating traditions, love of sports. How did geography and history affect the British character?
- •8. Describe Great Britain as a constitutional monarchy and its role and social influence.
- •Describe the structure and composition of the British Parliament. The reform of the House of Lords and its role. The House of Commons, composition and role.
- •9. Give an account of the main functions of the Parliament outlining the process of passing a bill. Explain the term Devolution and its significance.
- •10. Discuss the electoral system. Give an evaluation of the «majority electoral system» existing in Great Britain? Comment on the latest general elections. Change of government in 2007. Reasons.
- •12. Expand on the formation, development and role of Commonwealth of Nations in the contemporary world, and of Britain’s contribution to this organization.
- •13. Give a general survey of the main 8 economic regions of the u.K., the main cities of each region.
- •13. Expand on the role of the British Economy. Give an assessment of the contribution of the South economic region to the development of the country.
- •13. Outline the development and specialization of Midlands, Lancashire, Yorkshire and the North.
- •13. Outline the contribution of Scotland and Northern Ireland to the development of the uk.
- •16. Characterize the major political parties in the uk (Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrats).
8. Describe Great Britain as a constitutional monarchy and its role and social influence.
The UK is one of the few developed countries where a constitutional monarchy has survived with its ages-old customs, traditions and ceremonies. There is no written constitution in GB. There are 2 basic principles of the British constitution; THE ROLES OF LAW and THE ROLES OF CUSTOMS. In 1215 Magna Carta was accepted which was aimed to limit the powers of the king. In 1265 the 1st parliament was summoned. Since then British const, has evolved as a result of countless Acts of parliament. A constitutional monarch is one who can rule only with the support of parlament.. The Bill of Rights [1689) was a major legal step to constitutional monarchy.
Since 1689 the power of parliament has grown steadily, while the power of the monarch has weakened. Today the Queen reigns, though she doesn't rule. Being a constitutional monarch the Queen acts on the advice of her prime minister and doesn't make any major-political decisions. The Queen is not only the head of state, but also the symbol of the nation unity. The QUEEN-personifies the state, she is head of the executive, an integral part of legislature, head of the judiciary, the commander in chief of all armed forces, the supreme governor of the established Church of England the Anglican church and the personal Head of the Common wealth.
The functions of Queen:
1) Summoning, proroguing, dissolving Parliament
2) Giving royal assent to Bills passed by both Houses
3) Appointing every important office holder, including government ministers, judges, officers in armed forces etc.
4) Conferring peerages, knighthoods and other honours.
5) She appoints the Prime Minister to form a government of state.
6) In international affairs the Q has the power to declare war, make peace, recognize foreign states and governments etc., she is informed and consulted on every issue in national life.
7) Queen is Head of the Commonwealth where she is represented by the Governor-General appointed by her on the advice of the government of the country concerned and completely independent of the British government. The general public supports the idea of preserving the Royal family traditions. The latter has also become more flexible and open to public. The crown provides unity and stability to Britain and the Commonwealth.
Describe the structure and composition of the British Parliament. The reform of the House of Lords and its role. The House of Commons, composition and role.
There are 3 elements of the Br. Parliament - the Queen and the 2 Houses of Parliament, (the House of Lords and the elected House of Commons). These elements ace separate, constituted on different principles and meet only on occasions of symbolic significance. The supreme legislative authority in GB, parliament, resides in Westminster Palace, and all its power is concentrated in the British Constitution.
Members of parliament are elected at general election which is usually held every 5 years. The arrangement of seating in both Houses reflects the party system. Both debating chambers are rectangular in shape and have at one end the seat of the Speaker, and the other end a technical barrier. Leaders of the Government and the Opposition sit on the front benches of their respective to the seat of the Speaker.
The House of Lords consists of Lords Spiritual (senior bishops) and Lords Temporal (lay peers). Members are not elected; the House of Lords underwent a major reform in 1999. The hereditary lords or peers lost the right to sit in the House of Lords. The number of Conservative peers reduced. The procedure of the House of Lords is rather informal and is comparable to that of the House of Commons.
The Lord Chancellor presides over the House as its Speaker. There is no Minister of Justice but the Lord Chancellor performs some of its functions. The House of Lords consists of 675 members. The House of Lords also includes ministers, government Whips, the Leader of the main opposition party and 2 Chairmen of the Committees.
The House of Commons is elected by the adult population. Consists of 646 MPs. The chief officer of the House of Commons is the speaker. He is elected by the House at the beginning of each Parliament. His chief function is to preside over the House in its debate. When elected. The Speaker must not belong to any party.
The House of Commons has 6 Administrative and executive departments: 1) of the Clerk of the House 2) of the Sergeant at Arms 3) of the Library 4} of the official Report 5) Administration Dep. 6) Refreshment Dep. The 6 administrative Departments are under the supervision of The House of Commons Commission composed by the MPs, and chaired by the Speaker.