The Westminster Model of British Politics Flashcards
(24 cards)
Main two types of democracy?
Majoritarian and consensual
What is the difference between Westminster and consensus democracy?
Westminster = majoritarian, centralised, and executive-dominant
Consensus = inclusive, negotiated, and power-sharing governance
What kind of cabinets are typical in Westminster systems and what are typic on consensus systems?
Westminster = single-party majority cabinets
Consensus = multi-party coalitions
How is executive power typically balanced in Westminster vs Consensus democracies?
Westminster has executive dominance
Consensus has executive-legislative balance
What are the different types of party systems associated with Westminster democracies compare to Consensus democracies?
Westminster = two-party system
Consensus = multi-party system
What are the different electoral systems used by Westminster and Consensus democracies?
Westminster = majoritarian elections (FPTP)
Consensus = proportional representation (PR)
What are the different kinds of interest group models are seen in the Westminster system and the Consensus system?
Westminster = pluralist interest groups
Consensus = corporatist compromise
What are the state structures used in Westminster and what state structures are used in Consensus?
Westminster = unitary, centralised government
Consensus = federal, decentralised systems
What kind of legislature does Westminster used and what kind does Consensus use?
Wesminster = unicameral (or weak bicameral)
Consensus = bicameral with equal powers
What characterises the constitution in the Westminster and Consensus democracies?
Westminster = flexible
Consensus = rigid
How does judicatory review differ in the two systems?
Westminster lacks judicial review, consensus uses independent Cours
Who controls the central bank in each system?
Westminster it is under executive control
Consensus it is independent
What type of constitution does the UK have and was is central to the UK political system?
It is uncodified (based on conventions) and parliamentary sovereignty is central to the UK political system
What phrase did Hailsham (1978) use to describe executive dominance in the Uk?
“Elective dictatorship”
What are typical features of the UK system pre-1990s?
Two-party dominance, limited legislative scrutiny, weak judiciary
What changes weakened the classic Westminster model?
EU law supremacy
Brexit
Rise of third parties
Coalitions
Minority governments
Major devolution that occurred in 1998-2000?
Creation of devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
What reforms empowered the judiciary in the UK?
Human Rights Act (1998)
Supreme Court creation (2009)
Bank od England independence (1997)
What parliamentary reforms enhance scrutiny?
Lords reform and select committee strengthening in the Commons
How is the UK described today in terms of democratic models?
A hybrid model (part Westminster, part consensus)
What revealed deep tensions in the UK’s democratic model?
Brexit (sovereignty, judiciary, Parliament conflicts)
One major critique of the Westminster model and what is uncertain about the future of the Westminster system?
It contributes to frequent policy failures and whether Brexit will restore or further erode it
How did the Westminster model spread globally and what countries adopted it?
Through the British Empire -> adopted by Canada, Australia, India etc
What has often been the impact of Westminster renting post-independence?
Hindered democratic consolidation
