Coalitions Flashcards
What is a single party minority government?
This occurs when the largest party fails to win a majority. A coalition is formed where another party supports the government in parliament, even if only one party fills the seats in the cabinet. On going support is needed for this party to retain power, so as a consequence, the government can theoretically be brought down at any moment. They can be considered undemocratic, as a minority government = a majority opposition.
What is a vote of no confidence?
Democracies have a constitutional right to propose and carry out votes of no confidence. If the government is defeated, they must resign or they will be dismissed. They do not always lead to a general election.
Sweden and no confidence votes
Sweden is an exception to no confidence votes. Instead, the federal council has a 4 year term and does not have to face legislative confidence votes.
Budget and no confidence
In addition to no confidence votes, if a government cannot pass its annual finance bill, or budget, it is deemed to be dismissed.
No confidence votes as an extraordinary measure
In reality, no confidence votes are an extra ordinary measure to tackle legislature disagreements, so the executive may be likely to get its own way instead of being thrown out.
John Huber on no confidence votes
Governments can use no confidence votes to demonstrate their power as they can threaten one in order to force the opposition to back down. The government get their own way by daring to throw out legislature when there is no viable alternative.
Strom on investiture requirements
Investiture requirements amount to surviving a vote of no confidence. They can be explicit (Belgium and Italy) or implicit (Denmark and Finland).
The lack of strict legislative investiture in some countries makes it easier to form minority governments. Investitures control minority governments as they require them to rely on one set of parties for all issues.
What is a formateur?
A formateur is the senior politician who initiates the formation of government.
Formateurs in Greece
In Greece, the head of State assigns the the leaders of the largest party (when there is no majority) as formateur. If they fail to form a government, the head of state will then ask the leader of the second largest party.
Formateurs in Britain
In Britain, government formation lies with the outgoing government. Even if the government has lost, the Prime minister still has the opportunity to become first formateur or ‘mover’, however this is just a formality as the Prime Minister typically concedes on election night, however, Gordon Brown stayed in office for 4 days in 2010.
Formateurs in other European countries
In countries such as France, Finland and Poland, the head of state plays an active role and selects a formateur; it is down to their personal political preference.
Laver on formateurs
The first formateur has a bargaining advantage. They figure out a coalition deal and command a legislative majority.
‘Care-taker’ governments
Constitutional laws require for there to always be a governing party in office. They remain in office until formally replaced by an alternative. Laver - the powers of care taker governments varies from country to country. In Ireland, the government has a full range of powers whereas in Denmark they are only able to do what is absolutely necessary.
Government formation: Choosing a set of cabinet ministers
Choosing a set of cabinet ministers is a crucial part of forming a government. This process affects the type of coalition that is formed as legislators take into account the proposed cabinet ministers when deciding whether or not to support the government.
Muller and Strom on coalitions
Muller and Strom argued that there are 2 types of politicians that motivate coalitions; Those who are office seeking and those who are policy orientated.
Office-seeking politicians
Coalitions form because politicians are mainly interested in the intrinsic rewards of office. They want fame and power and are willing to throw away ideological preference to get this.
Policy- orientated politicians
Such politicians want to make a difference to society, so to do this they must get into cabinet, and the easiest way to do this is through a coalition. They promise to do good for the country.
Minimal winning governments
Minimal winning governments are formed as a result of office seeking politicians. They include only the essential seats with as few parties as possible - only what is necessarily required to gain office. In such coalitions, the power of parties is irrelevant to size because the largest party is dependent on the smallest one, so must compromise.
Ideologically compact governments
Ideologically compact governments form when politicians care more about policy and less about getting into office. If a policy is more likely to be implemented without them in office, they would prefer that. Coalitions will involve parties who’s policies are as compatible as possible.
Kaare Strom on coalitions
Strom srgued that minority governments are normal and democratic. They are a way of getting into power. They are not undemocratic because decisions can still be made by the opposition. If the opposition has influence, there is a lower incentive to get into government so there is more likely to be a minority government. If the opposition is divided, the minority can be stronger.
Surplus majority governments
Surplus majority governments involve more parties than were needed for a government majority - there is movement away from this. These governments form when constitutional reform is on the political agenda because constitutional amendments require a qualified majority vote (more than 50%). They look oversized but in reality they are no larger than is legally required considering the circumstances. They allow powerful parties to carry extra people as extra strength against opposing parties - oversized governments reduce incentives for anyone to object or blackmail
Carruba and Volden on coalitions
Carruba and Volden talked of ‘log-rolling’ deals in coalitions; parties get their way on what they care most about in exchange for giving away what they care least about.
Policy proximity vs policy blind
Policy proximity coalitions involve parties with similar ideologies whereas in policy blind coalitions, ideology is not a factor.
Germany 2009 minimal winning cabinet
4 options for a minimal winning coalition - none of which involved the Green party - ideology based?
They were a “dummy party”, not an essential part of government with no leverage over the making/breaking of governments.
CDU had a powerful position as a centreist party - it is easy for them to form coalitions with parties on either side of the scale.
