The document discusses different types of governments and political systems used in the British Caribbean over the past 500 years. It provides information on the branches of government, how laws are made, electoral systems, and characteristics of good governance. Specifically, it notes that the British Caribbean islands have experienced representative systems, republics, constitutional monarchies, and crown colony governments. It also states that Trinidad and Tobago is the only British Caribbean island that is now a republic.
2. Definition A set of individuals with both the power and authority to control and direct the affairs of a group,society or country
3. Types of government Monarchy-A government with a hereditary head of state Autocratic-Government by a single person having unlimited power Dictatorship-Government that holds power over people by force Democracy-Government that was chosen in a free and fair national election Oligarchy-A government run by only a few persons Aristocracy-privileged class holding hereditary positions
4. Systems of Government in the British Caribbean for the Past 500 Years Old Representative Systen Replublic Constitutional Monarchy Crown Colony Government Established in 1660's Established In 1800'ss Established In 1970's Established In 1950'ss
5. Question Which British Caribbean Island is a Republic Answer- Trinidad and Tobago Which British Caribbean islands are Constitutional Monarchies Answer- All of them except Trinidad and Tobago
6. Structure of Government in the British Caribbean( Branches of Government) Head of State This person can either be a. Monarch b. Governor General c. President Judiciary Legislature Executive I nterpret and enforce laws Make laws Make policies Seperation of Powers
7. Structure of the legislature ( Parliament) Bi-cameral Legislature House of Reprsentative ( Lower House) Comprise of elected Reprsentatives ( Members of Parliament) Senate ( Upper House) Comprise of government and Opposition M.P's Compised of appointed members Compised of both government And Opposition Senators House of Representative (Lower House) Comprise of both Government And Oppsition M.p's Uni-Cameral Legislature
8. Parliament in Jamaica Senate ( Upper House) House of Representative (Lower House) Parliament Functions Pass Laws Approve the spending of Public funds Approve levels of taxation
9. How laws are Made The bill is prsented and distributed The member introduce the bill In the house of Reprsentatives A member of the legislature wants to pass a law.The idea is placed on paperand Is called a bill The bill is debated and sent to the senate A committee examines the bill The house of Representatives debates and make changes To the bill The governor general or president signs it and it becomes A law Bill is bebated and chages made And later sent to the Governor general.President
10. Prime Minister Head of State (Governor General or President) The Cabinet Ministers in Charge of Ministries ( Chosen from the Senate and the House of Representative ) Executive
11. Judiciary Comprise of a number of courts at different levels.Each court has a special task it is assigned to do
12. Structure of the Jamaican Court System Privy Council Supreme Court Petty Session Court Resident Magistrate's Court Court of Appeal Industrial Court Revenue Court Drug Court Traffic Court Gun Court Tax Court Family Court
13. Functions of Government Enforce Laws Rovide Security Keeping the population safe Provide Economic Opportunities Protect the Population e.g Establishing a Police Force Provide Social Facilities e.g Heath Centres Pass Laws Enforce Laws
14. Electoral Systems Used to Elect Governments in the Caribbean First Past the Post System 1.The Country is divided into various constituencies, each is called a seat 2.Each constituency is contested by a candidate from each political party 3.Persons vote for the candidate in their constituency rather than for a party 4.The party that wins the most seats forms the government
15. Electoral Systems Used to Elect Governments in the Caribbean Proportional Representation 1.The country is not divided into constituencies but is seen as only one constituency 2.Persons vote for a party 3.The party that gets most of the votes forms the government
16. Advantages of First Past the Post Advantages Reprentative is aware of the specific needs of constituents Close relationship between reprentaives constituents Minor parties can win against major parties Votes are easy and quick to count
17. Disadvantages of First Past the post Disadvantage Constituency borders are illegally moved ( gerrymandering) A party with minority support can form the government Constituency may not have an M.P that represent its views Opposition constituencies are neglected
18. Proportional Representation Each M.P represent the country rather than a specific area Gerrymandering is prevented Disadvantages Advantages Is costly and time consuming to count votes Party strength in Parliament is the same as party strengh in the country Possibility of coalition governments been formed because no party won most of the votes The relationship between a M.P and citizens is not close
19. Governance What is governance? The exercise of political, economic and administrative authority in the management of a country's affairs at all levels by a group of people ( the ruling party).
20. Characteristics / features of good governance A ll men and women having a voice in decision-making, either directly or through institutions that represent their interests. The judiciary should not be influenced by anyone.Every one should be equal under the law The public should have access to information from the government.The information provided by the government should be enough to be used to monitor the government properly Decision-makers in government are made accountable to the public Government responding to the needs of the public and try to satisfy them The country's resources is not wasted but used wisely The existence of a civil service that is efficient The existence of freedom of expression
