Comparing executives

Question 1

Define the role of the Chief Executive in the UK and US.

Answer 1

In both the UK and US, the Chief Executive is responsible for running the government; however, the US President has sole executive authority, while the UK Prime Minister shares power with cabinet members.

Question 2

How does the role of Head of State differ between the US and the UK?

Answer 2

In the US, the President is the Head of State, while in the UK, this role is performed by the monarch.

Question 3

Describe the legislative powers of the US President compared to the UK Prime Minister.

Answer 3

Both leaders can initiate legislation, but the US President’s powers are limited by the separation of powers, while the UK PM has more control as part of the legislature.

Question 4

Explain the concept of ‘elective dictatorship’ in the context of the UK Prime Minister.

Answer 4

A PM with a sizeable majority and strong party support can enjoy ‘elective dictatorship,’ facing few checks and balances to pass legislation.

Question 5

What is the difference in legislative authority between the UK Parliament and the US Congress?

Answer 5

The UK Parliament is sovereign and its laws cannot be struck down by the UK Supreme Court, while the US Congress can have laws ruled unconstitutional by the US Supreme Court.

Question 6

How does the House of Lords’ power compare to that of the US Senate regarding legislation?

Answer 6

The House of Lords can only delay legislation for a year, whereas the US Senate can block legislation entirely.

Question 7

Discuss the limitations on the US President’s control of party discipline.

Answer 7

The separation of powers limits the President’s control of party discipline, as House and Senate whips work for the leadership of those chambers.

Question 8

What unique power does the US President have that the UK Prime Minister does not regarding legislation?

Answer 8

The US President has the ability to veto legislation, which the UK Prime Minister does not possess.

Question 9

How does the UK Prime Minister utilize patronage powers compared to the US President?

Answer 9

The UK PM can use patronage powers to offer government jobs to MPs as inducements for voting on legislation, while the US President’s patronage powers are limited.

Question 10

Describe the budget approval process for the US president.

Answer 10

Congress must approve the president’s budget each year, which often requires significant compromises and can lead to occasional government shutdowns.

Question 11

How does the budget approval process in the UK differ from that of the US?

Answer 11

In the UK, government shutdowns do not occur as it is much easier for the Prime Minister to pass the budget, usually due to holding a majority.

Question 12

Define the military powers of the US president.

Answer 12

The president is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, but cannot declare war as this power lies with Congress.

Question 13

What military powers does the UK Prime Minister hold?

Answer 13

The UK Prime Minister can declare war using royal prerogative power and acts as the overall military decision-maker.

Question 14

How have military actions been taken by the US and UK since World War II?

Answer 14

Neither country has made a formal declaration of war since WW2, leading to significant military actions without such declarations.

Question 15

Explain the War Powers Act of 1973 in relation to US presidents.

Answer 15

Presidents do not always adhere to the War Powers Act of 1973, which is intended to limit their ability to engage in military actions without congressional approval.

Question 16

What is required for the US president’s appointments to the executive branch?

Answer 16

The president’s appointments to executive branch positions require confirmation by the Senate.

Question 17

How does the appointment power of the UK Prime Minister differ from that of the US president?

Answer 17

The UK Prime Minister can appoint individuals to executive positions without needing confirmation, while the US president requires Senate approval.

Question 18

Describe the election process for the US president.

Answer 18

The US president is directly elected and has a personal mandate from the electorate.

Question 19

How does the UK Prime Minister gain authority compared to the US president?

Answer 19

The UK Prime Minister is the leader of the party that can form a government, gaining authority from leading the largest party, without needing an individual mandate.

Question 20

What are the term limits for the US president?

Answer 20

The US Constitution prevents the president from being elected for more than two terms.

Question 21

How does the lack of term limits affect the UK Prime Minister’s power?

Answer 21

The UK Prime Minister has no term limits, but their power tends to decrease over time in office.

Question 22

Who succeeds the US president according to the Constitution?

Answer 22

The Vice President succeeds the president according to the US Constitution.

Question 23

What happens in the UK if the Prime Minister is unable to perform their duties?

Answer 23

The UK Prime Minister may appoint a deputy, but it is not required; in the absence of a deputy, a cabinet member may deputize.

Question 24

Explain the role of patronage in the context of the UK Prime Minister and US president.

Answer 24

Both the UK Prime Minister and the US president have patronage powers, allowing them to appoint individuals to various positions.

Question 25

Describe the role of the Prime Minister in recommending life peerages and honours.

Answer 25

The Prime Minister can recommend supporters for life peerages, which allows them to directly influence the composition of the House of Lords. Additionally, honours can be awarded, which may include medals, knighthoods, or admission to different orders of chivalry, similar to presidential awards.

Question 26

How does the power of pardon differ between the UK and the US?

Answer 26

In the US, the president holds the power of pardon and uses it widely. In the UK, the monarch can issue a royal pardon on the advice of the justice secretary, but this is rare, with a notable example being the posthumous pardon of WW2 codebreaker Alan Turing in 2013.

Question 27

Explain the process of passing legislation for both the Prime Minister and the President.

Answer 27

Both leaders introduce an annual legislative agenda; the president does this through the State of the Union address, while the monarch delivers the King's Speech on behalf of the government. However, presidents often face challenges in passing legislation through Congress, leading to gridlock, while Prime Ministers generally find it easier to pass legislation due to party discipline.

Question 28

What challenges do presidents face when passing legislation compared to Prime Ministers?

Answer 28

Presidents often find it more difficult to pass legislation through Congress due to less subservience to party leadership and a more critical stance on legislation, which can lead to gridlock. In contrast, Prime Ministers can utilize the whip system to ensure party discipline, making it less likely for them to face significant challenges.

Question 29

How does the veto power function for the President in the legislative process?

Answer 29

The President has the power to veto legislation, making it difficult for Congress to override this veto. The threat of a veto can also be used as leverage to pressure Congress to modify proposed legislation.

Question 30

What is the significance of the weekly PMQs for the Prime Minister?

Answer 30

The weekly Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) is significant as it holds the Prime Minister personally accountable to the House of Commons, allowing MPs to question the PM directly and scrutinize government actions.

Question 31

Define the process of removal from office for a Prime Minister in the UK.

Answer 31

A Prime Minister can be removed from office through a vote of no confidence called by the House of Commons at any time, requiring only a simple majority vote. Additionally, a PM may be forced to resign by their party if they lack sufficient support in the House of Commons.

Question 32

How does the separation of powers affect the President's accountability to Congress?

Answer 32

The separation of powers means that the President only addresses Congress during the State of the Union and occasional special joint sessions, limiting direct accountability compared to the Prime Minister, who is regularly questioned in the House of Commons.

Question 33

What factors can lead to a Prime Minister struggling to pass legislation during minority government?

Answer 33

During minority government, a Prime Minister may struggle to pass legislation due to a lack of majority support in the House of Commons, as seen when Theresa May failed to pass the EU withdrawal bill, leading to her resignation.

Question 34

Describe the impact of party discipline on the legislative success of a Prime Minister.

Answer 34

Party discipline significantly impacts a Prime Minister's legislative success, as they can use the whip system to ensure MPs toe the party line. If party discipline is tight, it is less likely for the PM to face challenges in passing legislation.

Question 35

Describe the appointment process for cabinet members in the US and the UK.

Answer 35

In the US, cabinet members are appointed by the president and require Senate confirmation. In the UK, the Prime Minister can appoint cabinet members without such confirmation.

Question 36

How does the executive authority differ between the US president and the UK Prime Minister?

Answer 36

The US president has sole executive authority, while the UK Prime Minister is considered 'first among equals' (primer inter pares) within the cabinet.

Question 37

Define the role of cabinet officers in the US compared to the UK.

Answer 37

In the US, cabinet officers are responsible only for their own departments, whereas in the UK, the cabinet acts as the ultimate decision-making body.

Question 38

Explain the relationship between cabinet members and the Prime Minister in the UK.

Answer 38

In the UK, cabinet members are often political rivals of the Prime Minister, while in the US, cabinet officers are not political rivals of the president.

Question 39

How do cabinet reshuffles function in the US and the UK?

Answer 39

In the US, reshuffles are not typically used to increase the president's control, while in the UK, reshuffles are used strategically.

Question 40

What is the significance of the 25th Amendment in the context of the US cabinet?

Answer 40

The US cabinet has no power to threaten the president's position except by invoking the 25th Amendment, which has never been used.

Question 41

Describe the frequency of meetings held by the president and the Prime Minister.

Answer 41

The US president may only call a handful of meetings in a year, while the UK Prime Minister holds meetings frequently.

Question 42

How does the executive administration support the US president compared to the UK Prime Minister?

Answer 42

Both leaders receive considerable support, but the Executive Office of the President (EXOP) in the US is more extensive than the Prime Minister's Office and the Cabinet Office in the UK.

Question 43

How does the number of government positions to fill differ between the US and the UK?

Answer 43

The US government administration needs to fill around 4000 government positions, while the UK civil service sees fewer changes in top officials.

Question 44

What is the role of the Prime Minister in relation to the UK civil service?

Answer 44

The Prime Minister controls the civil service and government agencies, but the majority of top officials in the UK civil service do not change with the government.

Question 45

Explain the concept of 'fusion of powers' in the context of the UK government.

Answer 45

In the UK, the fusion of powers means that the Prime Minister and government are part of Parliament, allowing the PM with a majority to influence the legislature more effectively than the US president.

Question 46

What is the payroll vote and how does it benefit the UK Prime Minister?

Answer 46

The payroll vote refers to the ability of the UK Prime Minister to rely on members of the government who are also parliamentarians to support government decisions, which the US president cannot do.

Question 47

How does collective responsibility function within the UK cabinet?

Answer 47

Membership in the UK cabinet means that key parliamentarians take collective responsibility for government decisions, increasing the Prime Minister's influence over them.

Question 48

What distinguishes the executive authority of the US president from that of the UK Prime Minister?

Answer 48

The US president has sole executive authority, while the UK Prime Minister shares authority with cabinet members who collectively make decisions.

Question 49

How does job security differ for the US president and the UK Prime Minister?

Answer 49

The US president has greater job security due to different processes for removal, while the UK Prime Minister must retain the support of the House of Commons.

Question 50

Identify the head of state in the US and the UK.

Answer 50

The US president is the head of state, whereas the UK Prime Minister is not.

Question 51

Describe the coalition government formed by Cameron's Conservatives from 2010 to 2015.

Answer 51

Cameron's Conservatives lacked a majority, so they formed a coalition government with the Liberal Democrats, emphasizing collective decision-making to maintain stability.

Question 52

How did Cameron's cabinet focus during his first term impact the coalition government?

Answer 52

Cameron focused heavily on his cabinet, particularly the Quad committee, to ensure agreement between both parties, which was crucial for the coalition's survival in a hung parliament.

Question 53

Define the challenges Obama faced regarding control of the legislature during his presidency.

Answer 53

Obama lost control of the House in the 2010 midterms and the Senate in 2014, limiting his ability to pass legislation and requiring alternative strategies.

Question 54

What strategies did Obama employ to govern without congressional support?

Answer 54

Obama used executive orders and agreements to bypass Congress, knowing that proposed legislation would likely be rejected.

Question 55

How did the events of 9/11 transform Bush and Blair's time in office?

Answer 55

Both leaders declared a 'war on terror', with Bush ordering invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, while Blair supported the US, leading to increased control during wartime.

Question 56

Explain the concept of 'sofa government' in relation to Blair's leadership style.

Answer 56

Blair's leadership was criticized as 'sofa government' due to his tendency to dominate cabinet meetings and make decisions without full cabinet involvement, especially during the Iraq War.

Question 57

What justification did Bush and Blair provide for the invasion of Iraq?

Answer 57

They justified the invasion by emphasizing the threat posed by Saddam Hussein, although many claims were later revealed to be based on faulty intelligence.

Question 58

How did Trump and Boris Johnson respond to media criticism in the modern social media age?

Answer 58

Both adopted populist policies and used informal channels to bypass traditional media, with Trump using Twitter and Johnson engaging with the public through 'People’s PMQs'.

Question 59

What was Trump's approach to traditional media criticism?

Answer 59

Trump dismissed traditional media criticism as 'fake news' and maintained a confrontational relationship with liberal news organizations.

Question 60

How did the public's perception of government style change during national emergencies according to Bush and Blair's experience?

Answer 60

Both leaders recognized that the public and politicians tend to tolerate a more assertive style of government and foreign policy during times of national emergency.

Question 61

Describe the ceremonial role of the president in the United States.

Answer 61

The president serves as head of state and commander-in-chief, with an important ceremonial role reflected by the grandeur of the White House and Air Force One.

Question 62

How does the status of a president change after their term ends?

Answer 62

When a president's term ends, they retain the title and retire with the highest possible status.

Question 63

What happens to a Prime Minister in the UK after resigning?

Answer 63

After resigning, a Prime Minister continues to be a Member of Parliament (MP) and many choose to become backbenchers, as seen with figures like May and Brown.

Question 64

Explain the impact of polarization on the respect for the presidency.

Answer 64

In recent years, respect for the presidency as an institution has eroded due to increasing polarization and skepticism, exemplified by events like the 'birther movement' and Speaker Pelosi ripping up Trump's speech during the 2020 State of the Union.

Question 65

Define the cultural attitude towards government power in the United States.

Answer 65

The United States was created as an alternative to British rule, leading to a cultural hostility towards overly powerful government.

Question 66

How has the role of the Prime Minister evolved in the UK?

Answer 66

The office of the Prime Minister evolved within the context of parliamentary government, where parliament's sovereignty has allowed the PM to exercise enormous power since the Civil War.

Question 67

What is the difference in legislative opposition faced by the president in the US compared to the Prime Minister in the UK?

Answer 67

In the UK, only the House of Commons can block the Prime Minister's plans, while in the US, the president can face opposition from two independent chambers.

Question 68

What are the public expectations of the president in the US regarding executive action?

Answer 68

The US public expects the president to act independently of Congress and take executive action as required.

Question 69

How do public expectations of the Prime Minister in the UK differ from those of the US president?

Answer 69

Public expectations of the UK Prime Minister are very different; PMs who do not follow a sufficiently collegiate approach with cabinet colleagues are often portrayed as domineering.