Is the PM effectively a president Flashcards
Why must the PM adopt the role of a president?
Because the head of state must be apolitical
How many models of high leadership are there in the Western democratic world?
4
Describe the US model
The popularly elected president plays the role of head of state and head of government. They govern the country in a partisan way but represent the country in a non-partisan way
Describe the strong president model
The president is elected and has considerable power. The president is not the head of government; the PM runs the government on a day to day basis and agrees policy with the president. The president and PM are therefore rivals for power
Which country is the best example of the strong president model?
France
Describe the weak president model
Most common in Europe. The president will often be nominated by the legislature rather than elected . They are a weak figurehead but do play some ceremonial roles as the head of state. The president gets involved when a coalition needs to be formed or a weak government needs to be removed from power
Describe the constitutional monarchy model
The head of state is a monarch, but their role is powerless and largely ceremonial. PM plays the role of head of state and head of government. They are not the head of state, but they do act as if they are the head of state
Give two countries that use the weak president model
Germany and Italy
Give three countries (aside from Britian) that use the constitutional monarchy model
Spain, the Netherlands and Belgium
Why does a strong majority allow a PM to be more presidential?
- Gives them strong democratic legitimacy
- It makes it easy for them to pass legislation
What does a PM need to be favourable around them in order to be presidential?
The political circumstances
Give an example of a leader who was limited by party divisions
Cameron
What do the premierships of Blair and Thatcher teach us about the theory of elasticity?
PMs who stretch their power too far can expect to be reined in. The further PMs stretch their power and overstep their authority, the stronger the forces that restrain them will be
