comparison of executives Flashcards
what are the key differences between president and prime minister?
- how they are chosen
- impact of elections on their position
- nature of powers
- security of position/ removal from office
- relationship with wider executive
what are the differences in the way they are chosen?
UK: drawn from parliament, head of largest party, can become PM without winning election (e.g may and brown)
US: directly elected by whole country, direct mandate from the people
what are the differences in the impact of elections?
UK: electors vote for legislature not executive, vote fro local MP not PM
US: separate elections for president and congress
what are the differences in nature of powers?
UK: fusion of powers, PM and cabinet also MPs
US: separation of powers
what are the differences security and removal?
UK: needs to retain confidence of parliament (vote of no confidence) and party
US: position not dependent on their party controlling the houses
what are the differences in relationship with wider executive?
UK: uk system has cabinet govt which makes decisions collectively, cabinet ministers can challenge PM and remove them (thatcher, major)
US: president is sole leader of executive, has direct mandate from the public, which cabinet do not and serve as presidents pleasure
in what ways is the PM more powerful than the president?
- easier to pass legislation through parliament than congress (patronage, whips, majority)
- fewer checks and balances
- recent PMs adopted presidential style= less cabinet control
how is the PM more powerful?
- imperial presidency
* PMs sometimes have to deal with divided cabinet/ party or small majority
what are the extents of scrutiny between executives?
- both face oversight/but methods and extent differ
- in both systems extent of scrutiny depends on party majorities in legislature
- PM has to face parliament directly PMQs, president doesn’t not
- parliament can remove PMs, president does not face this
- US constitution allows legislature to maintain stronger scrutiny
- US presidents are more accountable due to separation of powers
