How Do the American and British Political Systems Differ - Assignment Example

The American system has two levels of government with equal powers but separate roles (federal system) while in the British system parliament is the sole legislative body (Unitary system) (Rogerdarlington 1).

2. Compare English (Jon Locke) and French (Rousseau) social contract theories.
Social contract theory is the concept that defines the existence of a relationship between the government and the people as hinged on the agreement between the two whereby citizens obey government rules in exchange for social protection and liberty (Dooley & Patten, 79). Both Jon Locke and Rousseau view the hardships of the state of nature as the main cause of people’s submission to authority and that no one has the power to rule another person unless by social agreement. According to Locke, the state of nature provides humans with absolute liberty from any government laws and punishments but cannot do anything they wish since they are subject to the commandments of God hence should not cause any harm to others. However, Rousseau perceives that human liberty was corrupted over time and the only way to regain it is by reuniting politically and upholding democratic principles.

3. Compare the French presidential system to the American presidential system
Though both the US and France have a presidential system of government they have some similarities and differences (Joseph, Kesselman & Krieger 112). Both governments have executive, legislative and judicial branches. The US president is directly elected while the election of France is by direct suffrage. The US is headed by the president at the apex of power while in France the executive powers are shared between the president and Prime Minister (Joseph et al 112). Also, France president has special powers such as emergency powers, appointing civil and military officers without approval of legislature and powers to dissolve the national assembly while the US president has none of these powers.

4. What is the Russian concept of “The Third Rome,” and why is this important today?
The concept of “Third Rome” was promulgated by monk Philotheus postulating Moscow as the Third Rome because of its supremacy, God’s choice of the city to fulfill His mission and unity of the people. It was the successor of ancient Rome’s legacy (French 134). This was important to the Christians because it denoted continued theocracy and was a driver of Christian unity.

5. What are the causes of Moderator or Institutional military coups d’ etat?
Coup d’etat refers to political action involving forceful capture of the state government’s machinery. There are many causes of coup d’etat (Sharp 4). For instance, the contagion theory implies that it is motivated by similar occurrences in the neighboring countries or support from other countries having interests such as economic or political interests in a certain country. It can also be caused by a group of military officer’s willful decisions in response to particular crises. Read More