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The comparative study of UK and US government and politics is a central component of Edexcel A-Level Politics Paper 3. This lesson synthesises the key comparative themes across all areas of study: constitutional frameworks, legislatures, executives, judiciaries, rights protection, elections, parties, and pressure groups. Mastering these comparisons is essential for achieving top marks in synoptic essays.
| Feature | United States | United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Codified - single authoritative document (1787) | Uncodified - drawn from multiple sources |
| Entrenchment | Entrenched - requires supermajority to amend (two-thirds of Congress + three-quarters of states) | Not entrenched - can be changed by simple Act of Parliament |
| Supreme law | Yes - the Constitution is the highest legal authority | No - parliamentary sovereignty means no law is supreme |
| Flexibility | Rigid - only 27 amendments in 230+ years | Flexible - constitutional changes made through ordinary legislation |
| Judicial review | Full - courts can strike down legislation | Limited - courts can declare incompatibility but not strike down Acts |
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