Compare: Parliament v Congress Flashcards
3
Describe the similar legislative powers between Parliament and Congress
- lower chamber controls taxation and appropriation of money for govt policy
- control legislative process, which is similar (e.g. committee stages)
- both can enact constitutional change
4
Describe the different legislative powers between Parliament and Congress
- US Congress has more significant powers (e.g. veto override) due to separation of powers
- Legislative power shared in US vs HoL seen as revising chamber rather than equivalent to HoC
- US Congress has more over budgetary policy (Senate can amend/reject bills, HoL cannot)
- Gridlock more prevalent in Congress due to election cycle - more legislation passed in UK
4
Describe the similar representation function between Parliament and Congress
- Party representation
- Independent members
- constituency representation
- lobbyist representation
4
Describe the different representation function between Parliament and Congress
- Third parties in UK, not in US
- Senate directly elected by public, unlike unaccountable HoL
- No constituency representation in HoL, unlike state representation
- limited lobbyist influence
3
Describe the similar oversight between Parliament and Congress
- Can both remove PM/President
- Power over FP weak, but both have made attempts to regain control
- Two-party system ensures oversight but deepens bipartisanship (e.g. JC-May Brexit talks)
2
Describe the different oversight between Parliament and Congress
- Divided government effectively impossible in UK, frequent in US
- Party unity and whips strong in UK - US primary system prevents whips from enforcing strict party discipline
4
Describe the differing constitutional status of Parliament and Congress
- Executive better able to dominate Parliament than in Congress
- UK Government drawn from Parliament vs ‘ineligibility clause’ in Congress
- Parliament legally sovereign in UK vs legal sovereignty lies in Constitution in UK
- easier to make constitutional amendment in Parliament
2
Describe the difference between the leadership of Parliament and Congress
- HoC and HoL speakers are apolitical roles and act independently
- Leadership of both houses of Congress extremely partisan
4
Describe the strengths of the House of Representatives
- 2 year terms ensure accountability and responsiveness
- Power of initiation over taxation and appropriation bills
- Effectively can decide what matter an official can be impeached on
- Two-party system limits impact of third parties
4
Describe the weaknesses of the House of Representatives
- Power concentrated to Speaker, Committee chairs and House Rules Committee
- Partisan politics means few bills pass each session
- Frequent elections → focus on short-term change and excessive influence of lobbyists
- Poor representation of minority groups
4
Describe the strengths of the House of Commons
- Majority party dominance and fused powers → legislation passes quicker
- Speaker an independent referee
- 5-year election cycles allow for long-lasting change
- Parliament Acts and Sailsibury Convention allow for strong govt
5
Describe the weaknesses of the House of Commons
- Dominance by majority party allows for ‘elective dictatorship’
- Poor legislation rushed through HoC (e.g. Dangerous Dogs Act 1991)
- Strong whips limit opposition
- Backbench rebellions rarely successful
- Two-party system limits third-party influence
4
Describe the strengths of the Senate
- 6 year terms allow focus on long-term change
- Exclusive powers allow for added oversight of President
- ‘unanimous consent’ and ‘unlimited debate’ result in weaker party control
- equal state representation
4
Describe the weaknesses of the Senate
- ‘unanimous consent’ allows for undue individual influence
- can only ratify/reject treaties, not propose its own (reactive)
- fillibuster precipitates disruptive gridlock
- population size disproportion - under/overvalues state importance
4
Describe the strengths of the HoL
- HoL can focus on long-term interests due to unlimited terms
- experts in policy making
- more freedom to challenge govt due to unelected nature
- nomination system allows for representation of minority groups
