We are creating the world's most trusted encyclopedia and knowledge base.
Once you join us and log in, you'll be able to edit this page instantly!

Westminster system

From Citizendium, the Citizens' Compendium

Jump to: navigation, search


Image:Statusbar3.png
Main Article
Talk
Related Articles  [?]
Bibliography  [?]
External Links  [?]
 
This is a draft article, under development. These unapproved articles are subject to a disclaimer.

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

  • the collective and individual responsibility of ministers to Parliament (hence the term responsible government), from which they are drawn
  • a ceremonial head of state (Queen Elizabeth II), distinct from the effective head of government (the prime minister)
  • a judiciary independent of the executive and legislature

The Westminster system is so named because the British Houses of Parliament are situated in the borough of Westminster.

References

"Democracy: Key Terms – Westminster System", accessed 14 August 2008 from http://australianpolitics.com/democracy/terms/westminster-system.shtml

Retrieved from "http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/Westminster_system"
Views
Personal tools