Comparative essay plans Flashcards
Explain and analyse 3 ways in which the concept of federalism influences the US government
- Laws are different in each state (more autonomy given to states in certain areas e.g. Roe v Wade, means federal government cannot control them)
- Government will take more power from the states in times of crisis (e.g. COVID-19, this influences the federal government to increase federal power)
- Open to interpretation (can vary depending on Presidents, Democrat presidents will usually prefer less federalism, republican presidents will favour more)
Explain and analyse 3 roles performed by congressional committees
- Question judicial appointments (Senate standing committees hearings are a test of the nominee’s suitability and the vote reflects the chamber’s vote.
Senate Judiciary Committee refused to hear Merrick Garland in 2016.)
- Select committees (policy specific committees, made up of both parties, select committees deal with a specific urgent issue - most are temporary, but the House and Senate Permanent Select Committees on Intelligence aren’t.
Jan 6 Committee found that Trump incited violence.)
- House rules committee (standing committee, prioritise bills in Congress, made up of different parties,
Conference committees are temporary committees where members from relevant standing committees come together to merge two bills.
Only 7 used in the 115th Congress compared to 67 in the 104th.)
Explain and analyse 3 ways in which the US political system encourages pressure group activity
- many access points (clear sep of powers, NAACP and SC)
- constitutional rights (freedom of speech and protest, pressure groups have limited restrictions)
- weak US party system (increased partisanship, brotherhood of teamsters represent labourers- feel more connected)
Explain and analyse 3 principles of the US constitution
- limited government (lack of state intervention, US culture strongly rests on individualism- however in times of crisis this may not be favourable)
- checks and balances (on each of the 3 branches of government, e.g. congress can impeach the president)
- separation of powers (each branch is independent, UK is more fusion with the PM being in the exec, good scrutiny)
Explain and analyse 3 ways in which rational theory could be used to study voting behaviour in the US
rational theory, proposed by jean blondel suggests that individuals act in a self interested way, which is the reason for the way things turn out
- social factors (age, gender, religion)
- non voting/absentation (2016 election turnout of just 59%, 66% in 2020)
- issue voting (e.g. on the economy)
Explain and analyse 3 policy differences between the republicans and democrats
- Abortion (republicans pro life, overturning of Roe v Wade)
- taxes (democrats favour low taxes, welfare state, Obamacare)
- marriage (republicans against same sex marriage, religious views)
Explain and analyse 3 ways in which cultural theory could be used to study pressure groups in the UK and USA
cultural theory, proposed by almond and verba, refers to the differing histories of the countries and how this has affected the political tone- also suggests people will shared beliefs and ideology will act together
- Pressure groups in the USA and UK have the same fundamental aims (influence public policy, however they operate in different political systems + constitutional arrangements)
- Pressure groups are a means of participation (shared beliefs and ideologies in both, US has guaranteed constitutional rights, us has a pluralist society so much more accepted)
- Methods used are similar (lobbying- however in extreme cases will resort to direct action e.g. BLM, Greenpeace, idea that wealthy groups use donations)
Explain and analyse 3 reasons why the USA might be described as having a two party system
- Only Republicans and Democrats have ever been Presidents (this has existed since the 19th century, presidency usually alternates (give example of 2 presidents)
- People in the USA feel aligned to one of the two main political parties (strong partisanship, can be seen in Congress- however pressure groups)
- 3rd parties struggle to get into Congress (due to FPTP system, even if individuals did vote for them they have no chance, people will vote for either R or D)
Explain and analyse 3 ways in which the Bill of Rights protects civil rights and liberties in the USA
- Part of US constitution (means they are codified and entrenched, very difficult to change which makes them protected)
- Supreme Court (judicial review, can strike down legislation that is incompatible with the Bill of Rights, however judges are unelected- do they have too much power?)
- Content of bill of rights (explicitly states what each branch of government should do, stops a branch from becoming too powerful e.g. 1st amendment is directed at Congress- can’t promote a single religion)
Explain and analyse 3 ways that structural theory could be used to study the selection of members of the US and UK Supreme Courts
structural theory, proposed by talcott parsons, suggests that the end results can be explained by the differing machinery of government, institutions and processes
- Independent appointments in UK (used to be law lords, however now is non politicised, US is politicised)
- Role of the Senate (confirm judicial appointments, can also deny e.g. Ketanji Brown Jackson- the most recent judge nominated by Biden, in the UK parliament are not involved)
- Lots of experience required in the UK (judges work their way up and gain valuable experience, US don’t explicitly need experience)
Explain and analyse 3 ways in which Congress can check the president
- Can override a presidential veto, (e.g. Bush Jr had 4 vetoes overridden, shows how Congress can stop a president from becoming too powerful)
- Can impeach President (this allows them to hold the President to account, has only been successful once - Andrew Johnson 1868)
- Can confirm/deny presidential appointments (power of the Senate, can accept and deny SC and cabinet nominations, such as 1989, John Tower under George Bush
Explain and analyse 3 ways structural theory could be used to study the constitutions of the UK and USA
Definition: structural theory, proposed by talcott parsons, suggests that end results can be explained by he different machinery of government, its institutions and processes
- Codified in the USA, uncodified in the UK (all written in a single document in the USA, citizens are aware of their rights and how the country operates)
- Not entrenched in the UK, entrenched in the USA (in the USA, citizen’s rights are set in stone and difficult to change, UK rights are not set in stone)
- Constitution is sovereign in the USA, not in the UK (Parliament is sovereign in the UK, sole authority - whereas in the US the constitution is the ultimate authority)
Explain and analyse 3 ways cultural theory could be used to study the constitutions of the UK and USA
- US constitution is the product of a revolution (breaking away from British rule, codification is to ensure no tyranny and explicitly states who should do what0
- Individualistic culture in the USA (UK is more collective, focus on collective rights whereas in the US citizens like to be aware of their rights, entrenched nature)
- Federalism v Devolution (federalism was written inti the constitution, reflects diverse nature of the country, devolution is only a product of evolution)
Explain and analyse 3 ways in which rational theory can be used to study how US HoR members and UK HoC members work
- Both have the intention of representing their constituents/ community (US HoR and MP’s have similar roles)
- UK MPs may not vote in line with their constituency due to whips (USA- party whips are not common)
- US HoR more likely to work with their constituents (they are up for election every 2 years, as opposed to every 4/5 in the UK)
Explain and analyse 3 ways in which structural theory could be used to study the legislative process in the UK and US
- In the US, legislation goes through concurrently (this means at the same time, a bill will go through both houses- can lead to gridlock)
- In the UK, the bill is signed by the monarch (royal assent + head of state, more of a tradition, in the US, presidents sign off, however can leave bills to expire)
- Senate and Lords can’t propose money bills (HoR and HoC have the ‘power of the purse’, gives them more autonomy as they are more representative of constituents)
Explain and analyse 3 ways in which the president can influence foreign policy
- Can propose treaties (SALT 1972, can promote peace, however has to be ratified and approved by the Senate so hasn’t got complete autonomy e.g. Treaty of Versailles was rejected in 1920)
- Commander-in-chief (head of the armed forces, can deploy/withdraw troops without the permission of Congress e.g. Biden in 2021, withdrawing troops from Afghanistan)
- Head of State (can go on visits to other countries to manage relations e.g. Nixon visiting China and Russia in 1972, more recently Trump visiting Korea and standing on the border of North and South)
Explain and analyse 3 ways in which the president may use his cabinet
- Exchanging information (cabinet meetings provide opportunities for information giving and gathering e.g. Carer used to go round the room clockwise)
- Monitoring Congress (can check up on legislation going through Congress e.g. Obama in 2015 used cabinet meetings to discuss his policy agenda for the year)
- Debating policy (Reagan’s cabinet ministers have described them as vigorous- presidents can use this time to hear concerns e.g. building a Russian pipeline under Reagan)