United Kingdom Political Structure and French Administrative Model

The United Kingdom: A Hybrid Governance Model

1. United Kingdom

• Hybrid between both models.
• All nations joined together in 1707 through the Act of Union.
• Devolution (1999): The central government granted legislative and political power to the three nations.
• The three nations established individual parliaments for their respective territories.

National Level

• Unitary state structure.
• Head of Government (HoG): Prime Minister; Head of State (HoS): Queen Elizabeth II.
• UK Cabinet: Comprised of 25 senior ministers, each assisted by a secretary of state (junior ministers) who operate with significant independence.
• Increased powers granted to Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

Regional Level

• Since 1999, the UK government devolved political power to the nations.
• Individual parliaments exist for each country, excluding England, which remains under central government.
• England is divided into 10 regions; Scotland and Wales utilize counties and parishes instead of regions.
• Administrative hierarchy: Counties (England), Unitary Authorities (Wales & Scotland), and Districts (Northern Ireland).

Local Level

• Administrative division: 9 regions divided into 84 counties.
• Wales and Scotland: Comprised only of counties and parishes.
• Terminology variations: Counties in Northern Ireland are known as districts; in Wales and Scotland, they are called unitary authorities.
• Parishes in Wales and Scotland are called communities; in Northern Ireland, they are known as civil parishes.

The French Administrative Model

1. French Model (Spain, UK, France)

• Highly organized; functions closely with the executive as the president nominates ministers directly.
• The Head of Government sits at the top of a hierarchical pyramid of administrative organs.
• Portfolio: Every minister manages a specific subject matter (e.g., defense, economy, labor).
• The Parliament cannot remove a minister; only the Prime Minister holds this authority.
• Ministers possess regulation power, combining administrative and political functions.
• The number of ministers is flexible, determined by the Head of Government.
• Secretaries of State: Second-level officials who are administrative experts rather than political figures.
• Directorates: The third subdivision under each secretary of state.
• Sub-directorates: Divisions within each directorate.
• Civil/Public Servants: The final level, forming the bureaucracy.
• Core Duties: Separating political and administrative functions, ensuring efficiency, supporting the administration, and maintaining proximity to the public.