Prime Ministerial Power Flashcards
(17 cards)
How does Steven Lukes define power?
Power is the ability to get someone to do something they otherwise wouldn’t
According to Lukes what is Decision-making power, what is agenda-setting power, and what is preference-shaping power?
Decision-making = direct influence over decisions
Agenda-setting = control over which issues are discussed or ignored
Preference-setting = indirect influence by shaping beliefs and values through rhetoric, ideology, or misinformation
How were Lukes’ three dimensions of power evident on the Iraq War?
Decision - cabinet supported war
Agenda - debate options were limited
Preference-shaping - intelligence was selectively presented to sway opinion
How is the UK executive formed, who leads it and supports the PM?
Formed through the legislature in FPTP elections, led by PM and supported by cabinet minsters and civil servants
PM’s core roles are…
Head of government
Party leader
International representative
MP
Why does Anthony King argue that party leadership is vital for the PM?
Because maintaining party unity is essential for governing effectively
What powers does the PM have over minsters and Cabinet
Can appoint, reshuffle, and dismiss minsters
Chairs cabinet
Sets agendas
What administrative tools does the PM control?
Cabinet committees, departments, and honours system
Why is the PM’s power not fully autonomous and what can challenge a PM within cabinet?
Must act through others, has limited time and administrative resources
Can be challenged by powerful figures (i.e. Geoffrey Howe’s resignation in 1990)
Facotrs that affect the PM’s influence
Size of parliamentary majority
Party unity
Poll ratings
Economic conditions
What traits contribute to success according to Theakston & Greenstein
Communication, organisation, political awareness, vision, cognitive/emotional intelligence
What PM types foes Norton identify?
Innovators
Reformers
Egosits
Balancers
What is the Presidentialisation Thesis and who supports it?
The PM is increasingly dominant, centralised, and acts like a president (especially in foreign policy)
Supported by Foley, Webb & Poguntke
What do sceptics like Dowding & Heffernan argue?
The PM is “predominant” but still constrained and must work with cabinet and consensus
Is PM power fixed or variable?
variable -> depends on context, leadership, party, and public support
What factors are essential for PM success?
Public image, communication, party management, and coalition-building
What balance must a PM strike to be effective?
Ambition vs collaboration is a constrained system
