weaknesses of both congress and parliament 6.3 Flashcards
(10 cards)
how is representation a weakness for both CONGRESS and PARLIAMENT / HoR and HoC
ALL USE FPTP = means that even if a party wins, it all works tactically (with safe seats/states and swing seats/states)
how is representation a weakness for both SENATE and HoL
SENATE = 6 year terms/ 2 senators per state(too little and too much for some states)
HoL = Unelected and unaccountable, Lords lack democratic legitimacy.
how is legislation a weakness for both CONGRESS and PARLIAMENT / HoR and HoC
US
- power shared therefor, difficult to get stuff done
- ‘pork belly legislation’
UK
- very difficult for own party to go against PM
what is ‘pork belly legislation’
laws or government spending that are designed to benefit a specific area or group rather than the country as a whole
how is legislation a weakness for both SENATE and HoL
SENATE = filibusters
HoL
- no power to block legislation
- amendments can be overturned by HoC
- Limited by Salisbury convention in blocking bills
how is checks a weakness for both CONGRESS and PARLIAMENT / HoR(senate aswell) and HoC
US = excessive partisanship and checks means nothing can get passed
UK = insufficient checks with only the HoL clocking the PM if they’ve done something wrong
how is checks a weakness for HoL
Has limited power to check government because it cannot overturn legislative proposals or insist on amendments.
when could one use the RATIONAL theory when comparing UK and US LEGISLATIVE BRANCHES
- party polarisation is not as prominent in the UK then the US, therefor, are more able to do what they want to do
when could one use the CULTURAL theory when comparing UK and US LEGISLATIVE BRANCHES
SIMILARITIES
- both have a sense of party unity so are willing to implement their political ideologies
- UK = HoL often avoids opposing government policies that reflect the will of the people
- US = cultural tendency for Congress to show more deference to the President on foreign policy matters than on domestic issues.
when could one use the STRUCTURAL theory when comparing UK and US LEGISLATIVE BRANCHES
US = congress is far more powerful with its checks :. not dominated by executive
UK = HoC nothing compared to congress
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US = Senate every six years
UK = Lords are for life
