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The Structure of Government

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The Structure of Government

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lε รεμlε αɳα
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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You are on page 1/ 13

THE STRUCTURE OF

GOVERNMENT
Legislature, Executive, Judiciary
INTRODUCTION

This lesson will be based mostly on the system of


government existing in Jamaica.
The Jamaican government is a constitutional
monarchy
Its political system is a parliamentary democracy and
is based on a representational system of government.
It has three independent branches:
⚫ Legislature: makes and repeals laws
⚫ Executive: sets policies
⚫ Judiciary: enforces and interprets the law
STRUCTURE OF GOVERNMENT
HEAD OF STATE
The Queen of England is the head of state.
The local representative is the Governor General
The Governor General is appointed by the Queen based
on the recommendation of the Prime Minister
The appointed Governor General should not have any
affiliation to any political party.
Appoints:
⚫ Prime Minister
⚫ Opposition Leader
⚫ Independent Senators
⚫ Members of the Local Privy Council
On the advice of the Prime Minister:
Dismisses or appoints ministers
Dissolve the legislature
THE LEGISLATIVE ARM OF
GOVERNMENT

The legislative arm of government is the


lawmaking branch of government
Legislatures may be unicameral or bicameral.
⚫ Bicameral: system of government in which the
legislature comprises two houses.
⚫ Unicameral: system of government in which the
legislature comprises one house.
THE STRUCTURE OF PARLIAMENT
Consists of two Houses:
⚫ The Senate/Upper House (21 in
Jamaican Government)
⚫ House of Representatives/Lower House
(60 in Jamaican Government)
Parliament is appointed once every five
years
THE SENATE
Nominated by Prime Minister, Opposition Leader, and
or Governor General and are called Senators
Those nominated by the Head of State are called
Independent Senators because they do not represent
any political party
Those nominated by the Prime Minister are called
Government Senators
Those nominated by the Leader of the Opposition are
called Opposition Senators.
The majority of the Senators are nominated by the
Prime Minister, which gives the government the
majority of the votes in Senate.
FUNCTIONS OF THE SENATE
Consider all bills passed in the House of
Representatives before they can become law
May introduce any Bill except one of a financial
nature
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Comprises the elected members of Cabinet, other
elected members of the governing party, and
elected members of the opposition party
Most Bills are started in the lower house
All enacted Bills must be passed by the majority
in the lower house
They have control over the Government’s
finances
Funds cannot be granted without the approval of
the House.
FUNCTIONS OF THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES
Passes legislations
Repeals legislation
Amends the constitution when necessary
Approves the national budget
Authorizes the expenditure of national funds
Ratifies international treaties
Examines government’s activities and
performance through parliamentary questions
HOW THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES WORK
People Functions/Roles
The Speaker Regulates debates and maintains
order in the House by enforcing
the Standing Orders

The Deputy Speaker Deputizes for the speaker in


his/her absence

The Clerk of Parliament •Advices the speaker on


parliamentary procedures
•Prepares the Order Paper and
distributes it
•Ensures that records are made of
Parliamentary debates in
Hansard.
HOW THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES WORK
(CONTINUED)

People Functions/Roles
The Leader of Government Business Introduces matters for debate on
behalf of the government
Prime Minister & Cabinet (called •Defend the work of their Ministries
the front bench) •Introduce Bills related to their
Ministries
Non-cabinet members of the •Support policies and legislations
governing party (called the back introduced by members of the party
bench) •Introduce Private Member Bills
Opposition Leader & elected •Examine government’s business and
Opposition members (Shadow performance
Cabinet) •Present the Opposition as the
alternative government
•Criticise and oppose controversial
government policies

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