My understanding is that it is based on the German system, but I may be wrong.
We do seem to be having increased 'Hoopla" so in that way we are more 'Americanised' ('though I still use an 's' instead of a 'z' so I may not be a good test citizen
) but seeing as we all are living in the age of pox americana I think that may be more indicative of the
times!

