Policy Powers - 20 Marker Flashcards
Intro
The Executive of UK & US have significant policy powers. Argued most significant policy powers are held by head of Executive branch but each power are different & UK Executive has a number of advantages over President. Amount of control Executive has over legislative agenda, support available to Executive & relationship Executive has with cabinet will be discussed.
Legislative Agenda - Point
UK Executive has significant policy making powers in terms of amount of control over legislative agenda
Legislative Agenda - Explain
PM leader of maj party so able to pass legislation without trouble
May gov elected in 2017 able to pass legislation as Cons had a maj
Legislative Agenda - Example
Blair gov was confident of passing legislation due to its back-to-back supermajorities in 1997 & 2001 & a comfortable 66 seat maj in 2005
Legislative Agenda - Analysis
Consequence of UK Executive power, able to pass legislation with few problems
Legislative Agenda - Rebuttal Point
US Executive has different control over legislative agenda
Legislative Agenda - Rebuttal Explain
President faced with Congress being controlled by other party who can block legislation President wants
President faced with hostile Congress controlled by opposing party
Legislative Agenda - Rebuttal Example
Obama faced with Republican control of House of Representatives since 2010 & blocked significant legislation
Legislative Agenda - Rebuttal Analysis
Clear differences between UK & US policies as often easier to pass legislation, PM is leader of maj party compared to US Congress controlled by other main party
Implication is opposition can block legislation
Policy Unit - Point
UK Executive has extensive support for making policy & has their own policy unit
Policy Unit - Explain
UK has policy unit staffed by: Civil Servants who put policy into action & Political Advisors advise PM on course of action
Civil servants are public sector workers who put gov policy into practice
Policy Unit - Example
Support to make policy comes from appointment of SPAD’s
Not politically neutral but will advise gov of political implications of policies
Policy Unit - Analysis
Implications of power the UK has as PM has SPAD’s to help implement policies
Policy Unit - Rebuttal Point
Support US has in policy making is very different
Policy Unit - Rebuttal Explain
President has significant amount of support in advancing policy within White House
West Wing run by Chief of Staff & supported by range of staff
Policy Unit - Rebuttal Analysis
Clear similarities as both have support
Implication is SPAD’s could speak negatively of boss if they leave
Cabinet - Point
UK Executive’s relationship with cabinet is very important in making policy
Cabinet - Explain
When decision is made in Cabinet, members should agree with it in public despite reservations
If this is too hard, Cabinet minister should resign
Cabinet - Example
Thatcher governed Tories from 1979-1990
Cabinet leader style became dictorial
Cabinet ministers were frustrated at patronising approach
Cabinet - Analysis
Consequence of poor relationship with cabinet they may not stand by policies
Cabinet - Rebuttal Point
US Cabinet is usually echo of President’s wishes
Cabinet - Rebuttal Explain
Not intended to be form of discussion
Cabinet Secretaries are there to serve President’s wishes
Cabinet - Rebuttal Example
Lincoln, asked Cabinet member’s to vote, each member voted ‘Nay’ to which he responded ‘Yay’
Cabinet - Rebuttal Analysis
Clear differences between UK & US as UK can go against PM whereas cabinet more likely to obey President
Overall Conclusion
Policy making powers of PM & President are different as PM has advantages enabling them to make policy more effectively than President. PM more powerful than President as lack barriers President faces due to US Constitutional arrangements. President’s actions overruled by courts as when court’s declared Trump’s travel ban illegal. President no maj in congress. Unable to pass legislation. PM leader of major party meaning they can pass legislation easily. If no maj in parliament, limited in laws they can pass.
