Governance 2 Flashcards
(23 cards)
How is the executive connected to the legislature in a parliamentary system?
The executive (Prime Minister and Cabinet) are also members of the legislature (e.g., Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister sits in Parliament).
What happens if the executive loses the legislature’s confidence?
The government collapses (e.g., a vote of no-confidence forces resignations or new elections).
Who holds real power in a parliamentary system?
The Prime Minister (head of government), while the head of state (e.g., President or Monarch) is ceremonial.
Example: In Jamaica, the Prime Minister leads policy, while the Governor-General (representing the British Monarch) performs ceremonial duties.
Since 26 February 2009, the governor-general has been Sir Patrick Allen. The office of the governor-general was created on 6 August 1962, when Jamaica gained independence from the United Kingdom as a sovereign state and an independent constitutional monarchy. Since then, six individuals have served as governor-general.
in many Commonwealth countries, the Governor-General is the head of state, representing the monarch or another head of state. They perform ceremonial and constitutional duties, but the actual executive power typically rests with the elected prime minister.
How does the presidential system differ from the parliamentary system?
- Separation of powers: The President (head of state and government) is not part of the legislature (e.g., the U.S. President cannot be a Congress member).
- Fixed tenure: Presidents serve a set term unless impeached (harder to remove than a Prime Minister).
Can the legislature remove a President easily?
No—only through impeachment (e.g., the U.S. Congress impeached President Bill Clinton in 1998, but he remained in office).
Example: Haiti uses a presidential system; its President appoints ministers from outside the legislature.
The government of Haiti is a semi-presidential republic, a multiparty system wherein the President of Haiti is head of state elected directly by popular elections. The Prime Minister acts as head of government and is appointed by the President, chosen from the majority party in the National Assembly.
Compare accountability in parliamentary vs. presidential systems.
- Parliamentary: Ministers answer to Parliament daily (e.g., Question Time in Barbados).
- Presidential: The President is not accountable to Congress (e.g., Mexico’s President sets policies independently).
Which system is more stable during crises?
Presidential—decisions are faster (e.g., U.S. President’s emergency powers).
Which is more democratic?
Parliamentary—government reflects shifting public opinion (e.g., Jamaica’s 2020 election ousted the ruling party).
What defines the Westminster model?
- Ceremonial head of state (e.g., Barbados’s President).
- Prime Minister leads Cabinet (must be Parliament members).
- Collective ministerial responsibility.
What is the Whitehall model?
A Caribbean adaptation of Westminster, with written constitutions and entrenched rights (e.g., Trinidad’s Bill of Rights).
Example: The Bahamas combines Westminster traditions with a local Senate and House of Assembly.
How do Caribbean constitutions differ from the UK’s?
- Bill of Rights: Protects freedoms (e.g., Dominica’s Constitution bans discrimination).
- Bicameralism: 8 Caribbean nations have two chambers (e.g., Jamaica’s Senate + House of Representatives).
- Rigid separation of powers: Judges/Cabinet roles are strictly separated (unlike the UK’s Lord Chancellor).
- Codified conventions: Rules like “no-confidence votes” are written down (e.g., Barbados’ 1994 crisis forced PM Sandiford out).
- Entrenched provisions: Constitutions are hard to amend (e.g., St. Lucia requires a referendum for major changes).
Example: Guyana’s unicameral system is an exception—no Senate, unlike most Commonwealth Caribbean states.
Key Takeaways:
- Parliamentary: PM + Cabinet rule with legislature oversight (e.g., T&T).
- Presidential: President has fixed power (e.g., Haiti).
- Westminster-Whitehall: Caribbean democracies blend UK traditions with local rules (written constitutions, entrenched rights).
- Caribbean uniqueness: Bicameralism, rigid separation of powers, and codified conventions differ from the UK.
What is the Westminster model of government?
A system based on the UK’s government, featuring:
- A ceremonial head of state (e.g., King/Queen or President).
- A Prime Minister as head of government, leading a Cabinet of MPs.
- Parliamentary sovereignty (laws made by elected legislature).
- Collective ministerial responsibility (Cabinet must publicly support decisions).
What is the Whitehall model?
A Caribbean adaptation of Westminster, with key differences:
- Written constitutions (unlike the UK’s unwritten one).
- Entrenched rights (e.g., Bill of Rights in Jamaica’s Constitution).
- Codified conventions (rules like no-confidence votes are written down).
- Rigid separation of powers (no overlap like the UK’s Lord Chancellor role).
How does the legislature differ between Westminster and Whitehall?
- Westminster (UK): House of Lords members serve for life; Lords can also be judges.
- Whitehall (Caribbean): Senators have fixed terms (e.g., Trinidad’s Senate dissolves with Parliament).
Example: In the UK, a Lord Chancellor is both a judge and Cabinet member. In Barbados, the Chief Justice is strictly separate from Parliament.
How are constitutional changes handled differently?
- Westminster: No written constitution—laws change by simple majority vote.
- Whitehall: Constitutions are entrenched (e.g., St. Lucia requires a referendum for major amendments).
Example: The UK Parliament can abolish the House of Lords with a vote. Grenada’s Constitution requires a 2/3 majority in Parliament to amend.
How does ministerial responsibility compare?
- Westminster: Conventions are unwritten (e.g., ministers resign over scandals by tradition).
- Whitehall: Rules are codified (e.g., Barbados’ Constitution outlines how to remove a PM via no-confidence vote).
Example: In 1994, Barbados PM Erskine Sandiford was forced out after a no-confidence motion—written rules made the process clear.
How is the judiciary structured differently?
- Westminster: Judges can be members of the legislature (e.g., UK’s Law Lords).
- Whitehall: Strict separation—judges cannot be MPs (e.g., Jamaica’s Chief Justice is appointed independently).
Which Caribbean countries use the Whitehall model?
All Commonwealth Caribbean nations (e.g., Jamaica, Trinidad, Barbados), but with local variations.
How does bicameralism differ in the Caribbean vs. the UK?
- UK: House of Lords has hereditary peers and life appointees.
- Caribbean: Senates are fully appointed (e.g., T&T’s 31 Senators chosen by President/PM/Opposition).
Example: The Bahamas’ Senate has 16 appointed members, while the UK’s Lords has over 800.
Why did Caribbean nations adopt the Whitehall model instead of pure Westminster?
To:
- Prevent abuse of power (via entrenched rights).
- Clarify rules after colonial instability (e.g., written no-confidence procedures).
- Reflect local needs (e.g., smaller populations need streamlined governance).
What’s a downside of the Whitehall model’s rigidity?
Harder to adapt quickly (e.g., changing Belize’s Constitution requires a referendum).
