The first significant democratic document passed in the United Nations is **the Magna Carta from 1215**. This document was signed by the king himself, and the most significant achievements of this document are:
1. Division of power – parliament passes laws and the monarchy enforces them

2. Restriction of the monarch – the monarch could not close or take away the land of the nobles without the support of the noble’s peers.

The construction of modern government institutions continued in the 17th century. The United Kingdom is **a parliamentary system**. The legislature is the Parliament and it consists of two parts:
1. The House of Commons

2. The House of Lords

The executive branch is represented by **a prime minister** elected by parliament. The prime minister elects the members of his cabinet – **ministers**, from the members of The House of Commons.

In the 19th century, **political parties** were established and have been participating in elections ever since. In the early 20th century, all Britons were given the **right to vote.**

The United Kingdom is **a parliamentary democracy** in which the parliament is the central institution.

The British Parliament has both legislative and executive functions. Parliament is a bicameral body and consists of two houses:

**1. The House of Commons**

**2. The House of Lords**

**The House of Commons** is a law-making body. Its 650 members are elected by constituencies. The party that wins the most constituencies has the main say in parliament and practically manages the legislature.

The House of Lords was very powerful in the past, but over time that power declined. It has about 700 members appointed by the Queen on the advice of the prime minister. All draft laws adopted by The House of Commons should be confirmed in this body as well. However, if The House of Lords refuses to approve a draft law, it is enough for it to be passed once again in The House of Commons and become law.

One of the most important functions of the parliament is the election of the **prime minister**. He further elects his cabinet members -**ministers**, usually from the members of The House of Commons.

The prime minister and his cabinet members make up the government. In addition to being elected by parliament, the prime minister can also be revoked by the same body – parliament has the opportunity to vote no confidence to prime minister and his cabinet. On the other hand, the Prime Minister can convene elections at any time in the next 5 years from the previous elections.

The general election for members of The House of Commons is held for 5 years. In practice, elections can be scheduled earlier, if it suits the majority party for political reasons.

The elections are convened by the prime minister, except in a case that rarely happens, when the parliament votes no confidence in the prime minister.

The most important factors in the election are the parties. In the UK, there is a de facto two-party system made up of the Conservative and Labour parties. The third party is the Liberal Party, which does not have the strength of the two previously mentioned parties, but it has coalition potential.

Following the election results, the Queen appoints the head of the winning party as prime minister. The prime minister elects his cabinet members mainly from The House of Commons. Cabinet members are ministers and are in charge of certain areas.

The United States and the United Kingdom are both democracies based on constitutionalism, the rule of law, and human rights.

There is also a great similarity in the judicial system – both systems recognize the institute precedent from earlier decisions.

The organization of the other two branches of government, legislative and executive, is quite different. While in the United States, Congress and the President are elected and separated, in the United Kingdom, citizens are elected by a parliament that appoints a prime minister. What is similar in this case is that both functions, the President and the prime minister are very powerful figures in political life.

The United Kingdom was formed after the English conquest of territories that were once independent: Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. These territories differ from each other historically and culturally, so it is recognized that they should be allowed a certain degree of independence.

For a long period of time, they themselves demanded a greater degree of independence, in some cases independence itself and sometimes by violent methods.

For these reasons, a process of devolution took place in the 1990s. The British Parliament delegated power to regional government by establishing the National Assembly for Wales, the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Scottish Parliament.

These legislatures have authority in shaping health, education and social policy, while Parliament reserves the right to shape foreign, defense and macroeconomic policies.