Policy Powers - 20 Marker

Question 1

Intro

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

Legislative Agenda - Point

Answer 2

UK Executive has significant policy making powers in terms of amount of control over legislative agenda

Question 3

Legislative Agenda - Explain

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Legislative Agenda - Example

Answer 4

Blair gov was confident of passing legislation due to its back-to-back supermajorities in 1997 & 2001 & a comfortable 66 seat maj in 2005

Question 5

Legislative Agenda - Analysis

Answer 5

Consequence of UK Executive power, able to pass legislation with few problems

Question 6

Legislative Agenda - Rebuttal Point

Answer 6

US Executive has different control over legislative agenda

Question 7

Legislative Agenda - Rebuttal Explain

Answer 7

President faced with Congress being controlled by other party who can block legislation President wants

President faced with hostile Congress controlled by opposing party

Question 8

Legislative Agenda - Rebuttal Example

Answer 8

Obama faced with Republican control of House of Representatives since 2010 & blocked significant legislation

Question 9

Legislative Agenda - Rebuttal Analysis

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Policy Unit - Point

Answer 10

UK Executive has extensive support for making policy & has their own policy unit

Question 11

Policy Unit - Explain

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Policy Unit - Example

Answer 12

Support to make policy comes from appointment of SPAD’s

Not politically neutral but will advise gov of political implications of policies

Question 13

Policy Unit - Analysis

Answer 13

Implications of power the UK has as PM has SPAD’s to help implement policies

Question 14

Policy Unit - Rebuttal Point

Answer 14

Support US has in policy making is very different

Question 15

Policy Unit - Rebuttal Explain

Answer 15

President has significant amount of support in advancing policy within White House

West Wing run by Chief of Staff & supported by range of staff

Question 16

Policy Unit - Rebuttal Analysis

Answer 16

Clear similarities as both have support

Implication is SPAD’s could speak negatively of boss if they leave

Question 17

Cabinet - Point

Answer 17

UK Executive’s relationship with cabinet is very important in making policy

Question 18

Cabinet - Explain

Answer 18

When decision is made in Cabinet, members should agree with it in public despite reservations

If this is too hard, Cabinet minister should resign

Question 19

Cabinet - Example

Answer 19

Thatcher governed Tories from 1979-1990

Cabinet leader style became dictorial

Cabinet ministers were frustrated at patronising approach

Question 20

Cabinet - Analysis

Answer 20

Consequence of poor relationship with cabinet they may not stand by policies

Question 21

Cabinet - Rebuttal Point

Answer 21

US Cabinet is usually echo of President’s wishes

Question 22

Cabinet - Rebuttal Explain

Answer 22

Not intended to be form of discussion

Cabinet Secretaries are there to serve President’s wishes

Question 23

Cabinet - Rebuttal Example

Answer 23

Lincoln, asked Cabinet member’s to vote, each member voted ‘Nay’ to which he responded ‘Yay’

Question 24

Cabinet - Rebuttal Analysis

Answer 24

Clear differences between UK & US as UK can go against PM whereas cabinet more likely to obey President

Question 25

Overall Conclusion

Answer 25

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.