Chapter 8 - Theories of Executive Power Flashcards
Define Cabinet Government
Executive power is vested in a cabinet whose members exercise collective responsibility (PM first among equals)
Define Prime Ministerial Government
A system of government in which the PM is the dominant actor in the executive. The PM sets the direction of government and makes major decision. Cabinet is able to advise and warn the PM, but doesn’t decide policy
Define the Core Executive
Heart of the Government, made up of organisations and actors who coordinate central gov activity.
Which roles/groups are part of the Core Executive? (Name 4)
PM Cabinet Cabinet Committees Bilateral Meetings PM's Office Top Civil Servants
The Core Executive Model
Says that the argument on if we have a PM or Cabinet Gov is flawed- everyone is co-dependent
Who argues Thatcher’s downfall was inevitable thanks to her inability to recognise co-dependence?
Martin Smith
What factors have made it more difficult for the PM to control policy?
Devolution
EU Power
Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee sets interest rates
Privitisation
Explain Prime Ministerial Predominance
PM is predominant figure of the core exec. But PM cannot have a monopoly of power- gov is a collective endeavour. PM just controls policy agenda- not whole government
Who argues that the British Prime Minister has become more presidential?
Michael Foley
Which trends are central to presedentialisation?
Personalised leadership- PM expected to impose a personal vision
Public outreach- Political leaders are public commodities
Spatial leadership- distance between PM and their party/government
