Comparing The Executives Flashcards
P1: Where does the president announce its legislation?
Legislative plan announced yearly at the state of the union congress.
What are the strengths of the presidents ability to pass legislation? P1
Veto legislation by congress
Threat of veto also effective as hard to gain supermajority in congress
Can leave bill on the desk - form of bipartisan acceptance.
E.g Iraq Withdrawal Bill 2007 - Bush rejected as felt it would ‘make no sense’ to tell the enemy when troops would withdraw. Not withdrawn till Obama 2011.
What are the weaknesses of the presidents ability to pass legislation? P1
Difficult to pass, esp in divided govt.
Members of congress aren’t subservient to party leader - lack of party discipline and whips follow maj/minor leader.
Presidential legislation more likely to be scrutinised than otherwise
Passing legislation difficult in unified govt;
E.g Trump 2017 repeal of Obama care. Defeated 45-55
How does the UK announce legislation? P1
Monarch delivers Kings Speech at state opening of parliament on behalf of the government due to convention and royal prerogative.
Strengths of PM passing legislation? P1
Far less likely to face legislation they don’t support.
Rarely face divided govt due to voting system.
One chamber has majority power.
Whip system.
Patronage.
Weaknesses of PM passing legislation? P1
No veto power.
Minority govt. may struggle passing legislation.
Low party discipline can struggle to get legislation through
E.g T May EU withdrawal bill. She was defeated 3 separate times in a bill relating to the EU, with the first being the largest majority against a government in history, with 202-432. Minority govt, joined with DUP. She resigned later in 2019.
How can the president be removed from office? P2
More difficult for president to be removed from executive - impeachment.
Congress can impeach the president for ‘treason, bribery or high crimes and misdemeanours’.
Nixon resigned due to impeachment threat 1974, Clinton 1998, Trump twice 18/19.
Never less to conviction.
Trump - highly partisan vote (52-48), with only 1 republican voting to impeach. Trumps popularity peaked following trial to 49%.
Highlights limitations on impeachment as it increases his public ranking and failed twice.
How can the PM be removed from parliament? P2
Commons can call a vote of NoConf anytime for any reason.
Simple majority is enough to remove PM and govt.
PM’s can also be removed from party leadership, and resigning. This avoids a no confidence vote parliamentary and a GE. Only occurs when the party leadership believe PM cannot command enough support
E.G T. May after 3 consecutive failed Brexit deals in 19. 70 letters of no confidence to 1922 committee lead to an Extraordinary General Meeting as it far exceeded threshold. 800 senior officials would do a non-binding vote for the first time ever. She stepped down in July.
US Cabinet? P3
Cabinet nominees require Senate approval, however very few have been rejected. Between 1926 - 1988, only one was rejected, Lewis Strauss, after his controversy with the AEC.
No share of executive authority, only responsible for according dept.
No rivalry for power.
Experience in dept. - 15 exec. Depts. run by a cabinet officer.
Few cabinet meetings in government.
Can’t threaten presidency other than 25th amendment - VP e.g FDR to Truman, 1945.
E.G pro business GW Bush appointed business experts and CEO’s, but Obama had highly educated, 2/3 attending Ivy League.
Easily removable e.g Rex Tillerson through Twitter, 2018.
UK Cabinet? P3
Anyone can serve in the UK cabinet, but by convention in either parliamentary house. Peel ConventionE.G Cameron appointed 2023 as sec of foreign affairs without being in either house, but was knighted beforehand, or Gordan Walker 1964 appointed after losing his seat.
Primus Inter Pares
Publicly support PM
Can become rivals
Often moved
Frequent meetings
2019 Johnson Cabinet shuffle - ‘Night of the Blond Knives’ after 17 senior reshuffles.
Checked by balance required eg May leave and remain
Ex Minister on backbenches can cause Ill discipline e.g Geoffrey Howe 1989 caused Thatcher downfall.
Administration and Bureaucracy US P4
EXOP - A group of offices that support president in running federal govt.
No approval required.
White House Office West Wing - Closest to pres., 400 staff.
Nat Sec Council.
Budget
VP
Made by FDR, 4000+ roles.
Headed by chief of staff e.g Rahm Emmanuel crucial to Obamacare success.
Reflects Pres character.
UK Bureaucracy P4
PM has considerably less extensive administration in cabinet office and PM offices.
Controls civil service.
Majority of top officials don’t change following govt. change, SPADS and Pol. Appointments do.
SPADS similar to Presidency; hire and fire at will.
SPADS at the expense of ministers
2019 - Boris Johnson had 108 SPADS, incl. Cummings and Lister.
Centralisation of power into PM, according to Clare Short.
