Executive Branch Flashcards
Head of State Prime Minister/President
What is the purpose/effective
The British PM and South African President had a call in September 2021 to discuss how the nations can move away from coal to renewable energy to help tackle Climate Change ahead of Cop 26
Purpose- Can’t be effectively checked as call is private so not but any agreement is made public so can be scrutinised from there. Counter if change LofA leaders can keep some agreements away from public as still private.
Head of State Cabinet Fit for purpose/effective
U.K.- PM can appoint cabinet like Boris Johnson did with cabinet reshuffle in 2021 like keeping x as sectarian Prti Patel as Home Secretary
Limitation-Requires cabinet support on major or controversial issues
USA - President can appoint cabinet BUT President must get get 60 votes in the sentate for his appointments. Biden appointed Antony Blinken as Secutary of State after 78 votes in Senate in 2021
Arguement: Need legislative to check executive is best to represent country which cabinet is part of.
Need examples
US
Not fit for purpose as party bias can stop President picking right person for job as opposition might want to make leader cabinet bad.
Fit for purpose as checks President to not make executive just full of people with the same views as him/her
Laws PM/Pres
US Executive can pass bills without it needing to passed in Congress but can not create new laws but Judical branch can overturn if unconstitutional Example - Biden’s Executive Order managed to pass the Mask Mandate in 2021 which the Judicial Branch didn’t decide to overturn.
U.K.- PM can pass bills but needs support of Parliament so must get through votes in commons and lords
2021-Boris Johnson’s proposed social care cap bill only “narrowly succeeded in getting MPs to back his social care cap for England, despite a significant Tory rebellion.” If not it wouldn’t have became law
Similar to some extent as U.K. check from other chambers stronger has has to be unconstitutional to be rejected.
Laws Not PM/Pres
US- In senate if a vote is tied then the Vice President votes with her party e.g March 4, 2021: The Senate voted 50-50 on a motion to proceed with debate on the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Harris broke the tie to affirm the motion. All Democrats voted in favour. - very polarised senate
U.K. - PM and members of cabinet have one vote in House of Commons each like every other MP
Social care cap bill passed as Boris and cabinet contributed one vote towards
Fit for purpose - no US gives unfair influence as VP not elected in senate elections
So diffident to great extent
Patronage Judical
2022 Biden appointed Jackson to the US Supreme Court with 53 votes
U.K. Rose appointed to U.K. Suprme Court in 2021
The Queen made the appointment on the advice of the Prime Minister and Lord Chancellor
Patronage Legilative
U.K.- Pm can appoint House of Lords members like when he appointed appointed 36 peers in 2020
US prez can’t appoint members of senate as elected by public
Experts
Expert Gavin Esler says “Political scientists describe the British system as ‘executive dominance’” which means the U.K. Executive faces less checks and balances than in the US, Lwas
“Time to regulate prime ministerial appointments to the Lords” Patronage
Meg Russell
We need to “ rein in the ever-expanding power of the executive branch and enhance the dwindling power of Congress. If we miss this opportunity now, our very system of government may be further and irrevocably damaged. “- Dylan Hedtler-Gaudette
LofA, work on arguements
Not fit for purpose as has too much power and can influence other branches too easily with patronage. Can’t be effectively checked.
Effective:
