T&L - WB1 - Law & policy making structures

The three areas covered are:

• Different forms of state and governmental structures • Constitutional theories • The UK constitution and branches of government

Topics:

Analyse the main concepts relating to the different forms of state and governmental structures: • Democracy vs authoritarian rule • Federal systems vs unitary states • Centralised vs decentralised systems • Presidential vs Prime Ministerial systems • Parliamentary systems Discuss key constitutional theories: • Classification of constitutions • Strengths and weaknesses of each Compare the roles of parliament, the government, the judiciary and the monarchy in the UK constitution: • Parliamentary sovereignty, cabinet and national government, the judiciary, royal prerogative, separation of powers • National, regional and local government (including the devolved nations arrangements) Examine the nature and sources and operation of English law: • Civil and criminal law • Sources of law: common law and equity, case law and precedent, interpretation of statutes by the court, primary and delegated legislation, EU law, devolution • Human rights law and the role of the ECHR • Structure and operation of the courts and tribunals in England and Wales, the appeals system • Judicial precedent • Comparison with other UK judicial systems Discuss the role of international bodies and their influence on national legislation and international policy making and regulation • European Union • United Nations/World Bank • World Trade Organisation • Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) • International Monetary Fund • Need for international policy making • The need for international co-operation