Comparing the US and UK executives Flashcards
How do the powers of the UK PM and the US president compare?
- (Financial powers)
The president is dependent on congressional approval for his budget. Government shutdowns can occur if negotiations fail.
E.g. there was a government shutdown in 2018 lasting 35 days during Trump’s administration, due to a disagreement on border security amongst Republicans.
The PM does not face such problems as only a majority in the Commons is needed to pass a budget, which the PM usually has.
E.g. Rishi Sunak’s 2021 budget was passed with ease thanks to the Conservative party’s large parliamentary majority.
- (Military powers)
The PM is not commander-in-chief (monarch), but can use royal prerogative powers to authorise military action.
E.g. Chamberlain entered the UK into World War II in 1939 without specific parliamentary authorisation in advance, although recently it has become convention to consult parliament, as seen in the Syrian missile strikes in 2015
The president is the commander-in-chief, but needs Congress’ consent for military action, however in reality he bypass this using the War Powers Act 1941.
E.g. Obama authorised air strikes against Libya in 2011.
- (Legislation)
In the UK, the PM has great influence in the legislature.
E.g. if the PM’s party has a majority in the Commons, they can use the whip system, to ensure the government’s legislation is passed, such as when Boris Johnson removed the whip of 22 MPs for voting against him over Brexit measures
In the US the separation of powers means that the US president is limited to ‘the power to persuade’.
E.g. the government can suggest legislation to Congress, but it may be rejected, Bill Clinton suggested that Congress pass the Healthcare Reform Bill, but this request was rejected.
How are the PM and president accountable to the legislature?
- (removal from office)
The House of Commons can call a vote of no confidence in the government, a simple a majority vote was enough to remove the PM and government from office.
E.g. in 1979 James Callaghan’s government was removed from office following a vote of no confidence led by Margaret Thatcher.
The President can only be removed by impeachment by the House and conviction by the senate, requiring a 2/3 supermajority to convict.
E.g. in 2021, despite Trump being voted guilty by 57 senators, he was acquitted
- (committee system)
US executive is scrutinised by the committee system.
E.g. the Senate Judiciary Committee hold hearings on presidential nominations to the SC, they can also refuse to consider an nomination such as Merrick Garland.
The UK executive is also scrutinised by the committee system.
E.g. select committees are an effective way of scrutinising the executive as reports are often hard hitting and influential, such as in 2018 when the Health Select Committee recommended a number of measures to reduce child obesity, and within a month the government announced measures such as stopping the sale of sweets at supermarket checkout.
- (legislation)
President generally finds it difficult to pass his legislation through Congress, particularly in times of divided government, as they cannot use the whip system to ensure party discipline due to separation of powers.
E.g. when the Republicans won a House majority in 2010, Obama was blocked from passing any meaningful gun legislation.
PM can usually rely on their parliamentary majority to pass laws. They can also use the whip system to ensure party discipline, and power of patronage to promote officials to the ministerial roles.
E.g. 21 Tory rebels lost their party whip after voting to block a no-deal Brexit.
What are the similarities and differences between the UK and US cabinet?
- (appointments)
PM uses regular cabinet reshuffles to as a form of patronage and control.
E.g. former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson was likely appointed to the cabinet to prevent him from challenging Theresa May.
US cabinet is not used to further the president’s control in this way.
E.g. he does not appoint his cabinet from the legislature so there is no political incentives due to separation of powers, Biden appointed former secretary of state John Kerry as his presidential envoy for climate.
- (power of cabinet to remove PM/president)
Cabinet government means that the PM can fall from power if they lose cabinet support.
E.g. Thatcher had to resign due to her loss of cabinet support stemming from the poll tax.
US cabinet cannot threaten the president’s position.
E.g. they can be dismissed by the president without repercussions, such as when Trump fired secretary of state Rex Tillerson via Twitter
- (specific government department)
US cabinet ministers are responsible for specific government departments
E.g. Biden appointed Pete Buttigieg as secretary of transportation
UK cabinet ministers are also responsible for specific government departments
E.g. Rishi Sunak as chancellor of the Exchequer.
What is the structural theory of the executive (role of political institution)?
- (government)
The PM must be a member of Parliament.
E.g. PM Boris Johnson was and still is the MP of Uxbridge.
The president cannot be a member of Congress.
E.g. Obama had to resign from the Senate before becoming president in 2009.
(scope of their role)
2. President is commander-in-chief and head of state.
E.g. president can authorise military action, such as when Obama launched airstrikes on Libya in 2011.
PM is not the head of state or commander in chief. These roles lie with the monarch, however many of such powers are exercised by the PM.
E.g. the PM’s royal prerogative power to appoint ministers such as Rishi Sunak to chancellor.
(removal from office)
3. President can only be removed by impeachment, involving a majority of the House and a supermajority of the Senate to be successful.
E.g. no president has ever been convicted, although Nixon resigned in 1973 before his senate trial.
PM and his government can be removed by a vote of no confidence, requiring only a simple majority in parliament.
E.g. James Callaghan government was removed from office after a vote of no confidence led by Thatcher.
What is the rational theory of the executive (role of individuals)?
- (presidency approached in different ways)
Nixon favoured an imperial style of presidency
E.g. he overstretched his powers and acted unconstitutionally in continuing the war with Vietnam without congressional approval, even after Congress had revoked the Tonkin Gulf Resolution 1971 (which gave authority) - (role of PM approached in different ways)
Blair was accused of a ‘presidential’ style of government
E.g. he often overlooked his cabinet and preferred a ‘sofa government’ - (role of PM approached in different ways)
David Cameron acted as a traditional PM
E.g. he was highly focused on his cabinet, his chancellor of the exchequer and the two most senior Liberal Democrats in his coalition government. (Cameron ruled this way due to minority government)
What is the cultural theory of the executive (the role of shared ideas and culture)?
- US political culture affords the president a degree of respect that the UK PM does not receive.
- The doctrine of collective cabinet responsibly creates a culture of cabinet government in which PMs are citizens if they appear to be exceeding their ‘first among equals’ status.
‘PMs and presidents are equally constrained by their ability to influence their legislatures’
(PM controls legislative agenda, president does not)
1. No, the president is more constrained as Congress develops its own programme of legislation, the government can only suggest legislation
E.g. Bill Clinton suggested that Congress pass the Healthcare Reform Bill, but this request was rejected
No, unlike in the US, the UK government programme of legislation receives the vast majority of time
E.g. Theresa May focused much of Parliament’s agenda on Brexit debates
(ultimately gives PM control over legislative agenda)
(Both PM and president are constrained during times of minority gov/divided gov)
2. Yes, PMs are constrained in times of minority government
E.g. Theresa May was unable to pass all three of her Brexit bill’s during her time as PM as the Conservative party did not hold a majority
Yes, president may struggle to influence Congress in a period of ‘divided government’
E.g. Obama was unable to pass any meaningful gun legislation as from 2010 onwards the House was controlled by Republicans.
(PM has can put more pressure on MPs to ‘toe the party line’ than the president can of Congressmen)
3. No, PM has the power to pressure MPs to ‘toe the party line’ using the whip system
E.g. MPs who do not vote with the party will lose their party whip, in 2019 Boris removed the whip from 22 MPs for voting against him on a Brexit measure
(he can essentially control them)
No, members of Congress are less subservient to their party leadership and it is therefore easier for them to be critical of legislation
E.g. Despite the Republicans controlling both houses of Congress, Donald Trump was unable to repeal Obamacare in his first 100 days as he had promised to do during the campaign. His bill to repeal and replace Obamacare was subject to intense scrutiny and criticism from members of both parties and was finally defeated.
‘The constitutional power of the PM exceeds the power of the president’
- Yes, the US Constitution was designed to provide ‘limited government’ via checks and balances, the president’s powers are checked by other branches
E.g. the president’s power to veto a bill is checked by Congress’ power to override a veto, such as when they overrode Obama’s veto of the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act 2017
Yes, in contrast, the UK’s parliamentary government allows power to be concentrated in the hands of the PM with a large majority
E.g. in 2019 Boris Johnson was able to pass the controversial Brexit bill within weeks of his election due to his large majority
- No, the president is commander-in-chief and the right of Congress to declare war has been largely ignored since 1941
E.g. in 2011 Obama launched missile strikes against Libya without consent from Congress
No, in contrast, though the prime minister can declare war using a royal prerogative, the House of Commons increasingly expects a vote on military action
E.g. the Commons voted against military action in Syria in 2013
- Yes, PM has greater control over the legislature, he has the power to pressure MPs to ‘toe the party line’ using the whip system
E.g. MPs who do not vote with the party will lose their party whip, in 2019 Boris removed the whip from 22 MPs for voting against him on a Brexit measure
(he can essentially control them)
Yes, members of Congress are less subservient to their party leadership and it is therefore easier for them to be critical of legislation
E.g. Despite the Republicans controlling both houses of Congress, Donald Trump was unable to repeal Obamacare in his first 100 days as he had promised to do during the campaign. His bill to repeal and replace Obamacare was subject to intense scrutiny and criticism from members of both parties and was finally defeated.
