英语国家社会与文化入门简答题
1.Who is William the Conqueror? What are the conquences of the Norman
Conquest?
以上内容William the Conqueror was Duke of Normandy. He landed his army in Oct, 1066 and defeated King Harold. Then he was crowned king of England on Christmas Day the same year. The Norman Conquest of 1066 is perhaps the best-known event in English history, and probably remains so becau England has never been invaded since. William the Conqueror confiscated almost all the land and gave it to his Norman followers. He replaced the weak Saxon rule with a strong Norman government. So the feudal system was completely established in England. Relations with the Continent were opened, and civilization and commerce were extended, Norman-French culture, language, manners, and innovations in architecture and methods of warfare were introduced. The Church was brought into clor connection with Rome, and the church courts were parated from the civil courts.
2. 1 What is a constitutional monarchy? When did it begin in Britain? What is the role of the Monarchy in the British government?
A constitutional monarchy is a governmental system in which the head of State is a king or a queen who reigns but does not rule. The country is namely reigned by the Sovereign, but virtually by His or Her Majest y’s Government—a body of Ministers who are the leading members of whichever political party the electorate has voted into office, and who are responsible to Parliament. The Constitutional Monarchy in Britain began in 1689, when King William and Queen Mary jointly accepted the Bill of Rights, which guaranteed free speech within both the Hou of Lords and the Hou of Commons and constitutional monarchy, which marked the beginning of a monarchy with power limited by Parliament. The sovereign is the symbol of the whole nation. In law, he/she is head of the executive, an integral part of the legislature, head of the judiciary, the commander-in-chief of all the armed forces of the crown and the “supreme governor” of the established church of England.
2.2What are the elements and functions of British Parliament? Discuss the role of each element and explain briefly.孕妇午餐
British parliament is compod of three elements: the Crown, the Hou of Lords and the Hou of Commons. It has three major functions: to make laws, to control and criticize the executive government and to control the raising and the spending of money. Among the three elements, the Crown has the least power. Legally, a bill cannot become a law unless it is given asnt by the monarchy. However, the royal power has been greatly declined. It has now become a convention that the Monarch has to give his/her asnt to bills pasd in both Hous of Parliament. The Hou of Lords has a special judicial function. It functions as the Supreme Court in UK. Nevertheless, its powers in legislation have been reduced. Today, it must pass all the financial legislation nt to it from the Hou of Commons and can delay any bill for one year. The Hou of Commons has 635 MPs. It is the real centre of power in Parliament. It plays the key part in the activities in Parliament as a whole.
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2.3 What is the role of the Monarchy in the British government? What are the main functions of Parliament?
The sovereign is the symbol of the whole nation. In law, he/she is head of the executive, an integral part of the legislature, head of the judiciary, the commander-in-chief of all the armed forces of the crown and the “supreme governor” of the established church of England.
The main functions of Parliament are: (1) to pass laws; (2) to provide the means of carrying on the work of government by voting for taxation; (3) to examine government policy and administration, including proposals for expenditure; (4) to debate the major issues of the day.
2.4 What were the contents and the significance of the Great Charter?
祝我生日快乐图片The Great Charter, or the Magna Carta, was document signed in 1215 between the barons and King John. It had altogether 63 claus, of which the most important contents were the: (1) no tax should be made without the approval of the Grand
Council; (2) no freeman should be arrested, imprisoned, or deprived of his property except by the law of the land; (3) the church should posss all its rights and privileges; (4) London and other towns should retain their ancient rights and privileges; (5) there should be the same weights and measures throughout the country. The Great Charter was a statement of the feudal and legal relationship between the Crown and the barons, a guarantee of the freedom of the Church and a limitation of the powers of the king. The spirit of the Great Charter was the limitation of the powers of the king, but it has long been regarded as the foundation of English liberties.
4. What kind of decline is the UK economy? Analyze the caus that brought about
山东于欢案>鞋带的24种系法such a decline of the UK economy.
The UK has experienced an economic decline since 1945. But this is a relative decline rather than an absolute one.There are five reasons for the relative economic decline since 1945: 1) Being in debt. Britain had gone heavily into debt in order to finance the war. The debts meant that the UK entered the post-war era with a major economic pro
blem. 2) The end of the empire. British colonies which ud to provide raw materials and big markets gained independence, leaving Britain as just a medium-size European country. 3) Large military spending. Britain spent a higher proportion of its national wealth on the military than most of its competitors. 4) A catching-up by Germany and Japan; 5) Lack of a clo relationship between industry and banks. This failure to invest sufficiently in industry reflects a long-standing and continuing problem in the UK economy. A low rate of domestic industrial investment coupled with a very high rate of overas investment was characteristic of the British economy in relation to other developed economies. So the comparatively strong economic position Britain found itlf in 1945 was in many ways deceptive.
