Different models of executive control Flashcards
What are the 5 models of executive control?
Cabinet government 'Kitchen Cabinet' Departmentalised government Differential government Prime ministerial government
What does the Cabinet model assume power lies?
the PM is merely primus inter pares (“first among equals”). Cabinet is a decision making body, operating under collective responsibility
What does primus inter pares mean?
“first among equals”
What are 5 reasons for the decline of cabinet government
- complexity of government activity
- rise of cabinet committees
- use of bilateral meetings
- increase of PM authority
- behaviour of cabinet members
Where does the kitchen cabinet model assume decision making lies?
the PM works closely with a clique of key advisors, the membership of which is fixed but other individuals might be brought into the circle on certain issues making cabinet a rubber stamp
What is the idea behind the departmentalised government?
That individual government departments have control over their respective areas and ministers act with a degree of autonomy (self government). The PM bows to departmental expertise but hold ministers accountable for their decisions
What is the idea behind differential government?
That the degree of PM dominance varies in different policy areas. The PM might dominate areas such as foreign policy, defence however cabinet might be given a high degree of autonomy in other areas
Which 2 writers identified the Prime Ministerial government?
- Richard Crossman in the 1960’s
- Tony Benn in the 1980’s
How did Lord Hailsham refer to prime ministerial government?
an ‘elective dictatorship’
What does de facto mean?
in fact, where by right or not (so basically it is x… even though technically it isn’t x)
In recent years what have some commentators suggested about what the PM has become?
a de facto president
