Westminster system: Difference between revisions

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The '''[[Westminster]] system''' is a system of [[government]] that originated in the [[United Kingdom]]. It is a type of [[parliamentary democracy]] with elected representatives. Its major characteristics are:
The '''Westminster system''' is a form of [[representative government]] that originated in the [[United Kingdom]]. Its distinguishing characteristics are:


* the collective and individual responsibility of ministers to Parliament (hence the term ''responsible government''), from which they are drawn;
* the collective and individual responsibility of the [[executive]] to an elected [[legislature]], from which they are drawn;<ref>WT Stanbury: "Accountability to Citizens in the Westminster Model of Government", Fraser Institute 2003</ref>
* a ceremonial [[head of state]] (in the UK, Queen [[Elizabeth II|Elizabeth II]]), distinct from the effective head of government (the [[prime minister]]);
* a ceremonial [[Head of State]] whose functions are  distinct from those of the head of government;
* a [[judiciary]] independent of the [[executive]] and [[legislature]].
* a [[judiciary]] that is  independent of the executive and the legislature.


The Westminster system is so named because the UK [[Houses of Parliament]] are situated in the borough of Westminster in [[London]].
It is so named because the premises of the United Kingdom Parliament are in London's  Palace of Westminster.


===References===
{{reflist}}
"Democracy: Key Terms &ndash; Westminster System", accessed 14 August 2008 from http://http://australianpolitics.com/key-terms/westminster-system

Latest revision as of 16:45, 10 February 2024

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The Westminster system is a form of representative government that originated in the United Kingdom. Its distinguishing characteristics are:

  • the collective and individual responsibility of the executive to an elected legislature, from which they are drawn;[1]
  • a ceremonial Head of State whose functions are distinct from those of the head of government;
  • a judiciary that is independent of the executive and the legislature.

It is so named because the premises of the United Kingdom Parliament are in London's Palace of Westminster.

  1. WT Stanbury: "Accountability to Citizens in the Westminster Model of Government", Fraser Institute 2003