Comparative Analysis: The US and the UK´s Government

Introduction

As you might know, the United States of America, and the United Kingdom are two of the most powerful and influential countries in the world. While both nations strongly value democracy and human rights, their government structures are completely
different from each other. 

Division of Powers

The U.S. is governed under a federalist republic system with a separation of powers among three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. On the other hand, The government system of the U.K. consists of a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy, also divided among three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. Apparently they have the same system, however, the functions that each branch of government performs, how they are formed, and how they are elected are very different from each other.

The Executive Power

The executive power in the U. S. is led by the president, who serves as both, head of state and head of government. Their main functions as presidents are: enforce and implement federal laws, command the Armed Forces, conduct foreign policy and negotiate treaties, and appoint federal official and judges. Presidents are elected every four years using an Electoral College, which means electors or representatives from each state in number proportional to the state’s population cast their vote and determine who will be president. To win, the candidate must get at least 270 electoral votes. 
Donald Trump, President of the U.S.

Unlike the United States, in the United Kingdom executive power is exercised by three main actors. The Monarch acts as the symbolic head of state, which means he does not hold actual political power; the Prime Minister is the head of government, and leads the country by setting national priorities, directing government policy and representing the U.K. internationally. The cabinet, which is chosen by the Prime Minister, supports the Prime Minister by collectively making major policy decisions, managing national crisis, and coordinating government departments. 

Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the U.K.


The Legislative Power

The legislative power in the U. S. consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Their function is to propose, debate, pass federal laws, approve the federal budget, and confirm presidential appointments. The members of the House of Representatives are elected by the citizens in each congressional district, the candidate with the majority of votes wins.  Conversely, the UK's Parliament is made up of the House of Lords whose members are unelected, and the House of Commons which members are elected for the citizens. Itsfunctions are primarily to debate and make laws. 

House of Representatives
House of Commons







The Judicial Power

The judicial branch  is independent from the other branches of government in both nations. However, there are some diffferences in their structure and power. In the U.S., the judicial power is headed by the Supreme Court, which has a strong power to declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional. Judges are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. In contrast, the UK's Supreme Court operates with more limits under the parlamentary system. Judges are chosen by the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC), an independent commision that recommends a candidate to the Monarch who formally appoints the judge.

US Superior Court Judges
Judges in the U.K.







Conclusion

In conclusion, even if both nations divide their government among three branches, this powers function and interact significantly different. The U.S. system separate powers more strictly, while the legislative and judicial branches of government in the United Kingdom are closely connected. This differences reflect how power is balanced within their governments. 


In your opinion, which of these government systems is better? Why?

Bibliography

BBC Bitesize. (2025, February 7). Easy peasy politics: How it all works. BBC Bitesize. https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zxnwkty

Geo195. (2020, December 5). Britain’s System of Government [Vídeo]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/IAPIaaNViqM

Kellner, Peter, Thomas, & Harford, W. (2025, May 11). England | History, map, flag, population, cities, & Facts. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/England/Government-and-society

PoliticalScience. (2024). How the US Political System Works. Political Science. https://www.politicalscienceview.com/us-political-system-explained/


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