Westminster system

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The Westminster system is a system of government that originated in the United Kingdom. It is a type of parliamentary democracy with elected representatives. Its major characteristics are:

  • the collective and individual responsibility of ministers to Parliament (hence the term responsible government), from which they are drawn
  • a ceremonial head of state (in Britain, Queen Elizabeth II), distinct from the effective head of government (the prime minister)
  • a judiciary independent of the executive and legislature

The Westminster system is so named because the British Houses of Parliament are situated in the borough of Westminster.

References

"Democracy: Key Terms – Westminster System", accessed 14 August 2008 from http://australianpolitics.com/democracy/terms/westminster-system.shtml

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