Congress and Parliament 6.3 Flashcards
what are some of the evident similarities between congress and Parliament
- can initiate and amend legislation
- place similar checks on their executives
- have a high degree of control over foreign, military and voting policies
- have a role in determining constitutional rules
- are accountable to the public
bullet points for ‘Congress being MORE powerful than parliament’
- Separation and fusion of power
- Checks and balances
- Power of second chambers
how is ‘Separation and fusion of power’ argues then that ‘congress is MORE powerful than parliament
UK = parliament is dominated by executive branch = less able to control legislative outcomes or restrict the executive branch.
US = congress is NOT control by executive = more active law-maker than parliament.
HOWEVER
- depends if the US government is limited or unified
how is ‘Checks and Balances’ argues then that ‘congress is MORE powerful than parliament
US = congress have stronger checks and when it comes to ratification of treaties
UK = all this falls under the royal prerogative
HOWEVER
very unlikely that PM does something without house of commons approval
how is ‘Power of second chambers’ argues then that ‘congress is MORE powerful than parliament
US = HoR and Senate have insane power when it comes to legislation, therefore, executive branch has effective checks
UK = House of Lords are full of NPCs
HOWEVER
since House of Lords Reform Act 1999, house has been much more aggressive in legislation
bullet points for ‘Congress being LESS powerful than parliament’
- location of sovereignty
- imperial presidency
- Bicameralism
Bicameralism meaning
a system of government in which the legislature is divided into two separate chambers or houses
how is ‘location of sovereignty’ argues then that ‘congress is LESS powerful than parliament
UK = parliamentary sovreignty means that legislation is able to pass through with little to no confrontation
US = Congress is constrained by the Supreme Court and the Constitution.
how is ‘imperial presidency’ argues then that ‘congress is LESS powerful than parliament
UK = this theory is more adapted in theory
US = congress inhibits this
how is ‘Bicameralism’ argues then that ‘congress is LESS powerful than parliament
UK = already established authority means that legislation is more easily passed
US = if Senate are fighting, then litch nothing can get passed
