The Government of Trinidad and Tobago
The government of Trinidad and Tobago is a system modeled after Great Britain, This means that there is a unitary state, governed by a parliament that is voted on semi-democratically. Trinidad and Tobago gained independence from Great Britain in 1962, but remained a part of the commonwealth. This means that while Trinidad and Tobago have their own cabinet led by a Prime Minister, that holds a Senate, and a House of Representatives along with a president, they still are part of an organization of other commonwealth countries that recognize the royal family of Great Britain. The commonwealth has 53 member states.
Law making goes through the two houses of the parliament. This means that when a bill is introduced, it goes through a process within both of the houses to become a new law. This is very similar to the legislative branch and decisions made in the United States.
Local decisions are made by regional corporations. Regional corporations are sections of the land that hold differing populations, city centers, and land areas. These groups are responsible for decisions such as employment projects. road maintenance, and public health issues. The regional corporations are governed by the Ministry of Local Government. Here is map with all of the regional corporations:
Citizens have rights in the government of Trinidad and Tobago when it comes to electing members of the House of representatives (the voting age for citizens is 18). But unlike the United States, the Senate is made of people appointed to the position by the Prime Minister. The people also do not have the power to elect either the president or the Prime Minister as the president is elected by an electoral college, and the president selects the Prime Minister from the parliament.
Two major political parties in Trinidad and Tobago are the People's National Movement, and the United National Congress. These parties often time follow racial lines, as most often Afro-Trinidadians support the People's National Movement, and Indo-Trinidadians follow the United National Congress.
A major issue in the islands today is the policy that surrounds the movement to reduce poverty in the country. Poverty is a large issue on the islands, and the government has tried initiatives to attempt and address the issue, but as different parties believe in different ways of helping those in poverty, there is disagreement over what decisions should be made, and what should be left unchanged.
Trinidad an Tobago have a complex government, and it is interesting to learn how it differs from the United States, as there is a much smaller land area, and population. It is also important to understand how being part of the commonwealth comes into play in the government and decision making.
Law making goes through the two houses of the parliament. This means that when a bill is introduced, it goes through a process within both of the houses to become a new law. This is very similar to the legislative branch and decisions made in the United States.
Local decisions are made by regional corporations. Regional corporations are sections of the land that hold differing populations, city centers, and land areas. These groups are responsible for decisions such as employment projects. road maintenance, and public health issues. The regional corporations are governed by the Ministry of Local Government. Here is map with all of the regional corporations:
Citizens have rights in the government of Trinidad and Tobago when it comes to electing members of the House of representatives (the voting age for citizens is 18). But unlike the United States, the Senate is made of people appointed to the position by the Prime Minister. The people also do not have the power to elect either the president or the Prime Minister as the president is elected by an electoral college, and the president selects the Prime Minister from the parliament.
Two major political parties in Trinidad and Tobago are the People's National Movement, and the United National Congress. These parties often time follow racial lines, as most often Afro-Trinidadians support the People's National Movement, and Indo-Trinidadians follow the United National Congress.
A major issue in the islands today is the policy that surrounds the movement to reduce poverty in the country. Poverty is a large issue on the islands, and the government has tried initiatives to attempt and address the issue, but as different parties believe in different ways of helping those in poverty, there is disagreement over what decisions should be made, and what should be left unchanged.
Trinidad an Tobago have a complex government, and it is interesting to learn how it differs from the United States, as there is a much smaller land area, and population. It is also important to understand how being part of the commonwealth comes into play in the government and decision making.
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