From You Tube: Magna Carta and the Emergence of Parliament

This might be a helpful way for 2305 students to get a handle on the gradual process by which the power of British Monarchs were contained. The most effective way to do so - in a relatively permanent manner - was for the barons to get the king to agree that they could establish a group that could oversee the actions of the king and ensure that he could be held to the agreements he made in the Magna Carta.

Greek coalition formed

This builds off yesterday's story about the Greek elections. A coalition has been formed and parliament can now meet and do its magic.

Elections in Greece

The recent elections in Greece us another opportunity to contrast American elections - and the entire presidential system established in the Constitution - with that of most other democracies. Greece has a parliamentarian system with a legislature selected by proportional representation. Generally this means that people vote for a party - not a person - and the party is awarded seats in the legislature in proportion to its share of the total vote. Often this means that a single party cannot get a majority and cannot therefore control parliament. A coalition has to be put together in order to do so.

That's where Greece seems to be right now. The conservative - pro bailout - party won a plurality of the vote, but now has to put a ruling coalition together in order to government. This cannot happen in a two party system. We will touch on the various differences between the two systems soon.

- Greek Elections.

Should Congress be replaced with a Parliament?

This is provocative (if totally unrealistic), should Congress be replaced with a parliament? Would a different type of government - still democratic but not the presidential system we are familiar with - do a better job of governing?

This subject is good for both 2301 and 2302. Why might this be a better system? Why might it be worse?

The Deputy Speaker in the House of Commons Keeps Order

Enjoy.

Inside the House of Lords

If you think its worthwhile.