Year 11 - Citizenship
Why do we have a separation of powers?
What is the nature of the British Constitution?
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit pupils consider why we need a separation of powers and whether the current political structures are fit for purpose.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to describe the different branches of government and analyse why they might have a separation of powers.
Key Notes
- Power in the UK is split into three branches; the legislative, the executive and the judiciary.
- Separation of powers exist to ensure checks and balances, accountability, protection of rights and scrutiny.
- Power is shared to prevent corruption, allowing each branch to oversee and check the actions of the others.
Vocabulary To Learn
- legislative: the lawmaking body of the state i.e. Parliament in the UK
- executive: the branch of government that is responsible for putting laws or decisions into effect
- judiciary: the branch of the state that is responsible for enforcing the law; it is composed of judges and other legal officials
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Power is separated, therefore, each branch does not link together.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
Power in the UK is split into three branches; the legislative, the executive and the judiciary. Separation of powers exist to ensure checks and balances, accountability, protection of rights and scrutiny.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'legislative'
the lawmaking body of the state i.e. Parliament in the UK.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: Power is separated, therefore, each branch does not link together. Correction: While power is separated, the branches are still linked and work together. Each branch has its own responsibilities but also checks and balances the others to ensure no one branch becomes too powerful.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Is the physical set up of the House of Commons fit for purpose? Study Guide
- Should parliamentary procedures be modernised? Study Guide
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of an uncodified constitution? Study Guide
- What are the benefits and drawbacks of a bicameral system? Study Guide
- What does the Supreme Court do? Study Guide
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