Power Of The Prime Minister And President Flashcards
Passs
Prime Minister more powerful
-UK prime minister has rewards system and no term limit.
PM can act presidential, not cabinet reliant theoretically separate themselves from party. Blair 1997 landslide win, vote of no confidence unlikely, pursue whatever (Conviction politician), passed minimum wage (1998), iraq war (2003)
Thatcher majority power 1990 poll tax controversy
US can’t be voted out but can be impeached (formal accusation), never happened but closest bill Clinton 1998 had sexual relations with Monica Lewinsky.
President more powerful
US president freedom to choose legislation and separate veto ability to prevent congress passing legislation. Example: 2015 when Obama vetoed a bill originally passed by the House and senate the Restoring Americans’ Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act which would repeal the affordable health care policy passed by Obama. Shows Executive has separate powers to the legislative that may support or refuse. This power not possessed by UK executive as they are with party (legislative).
US executive is a separated power from the Legislative can function as own body does not have an obligation to agree with their party. Have direct authority and ability to propose and veto bills by themselves.
-US executive has mandate to execute policies and attempt to pass legislation they believe in (Sandy Hook shooting, 2012, Obama tried increasing gun restrictions, didn’t pass). This also shows limits, congress blocked this, republican majority.
Conclusion
Although similar the PM is more vulnerable and tied down by party, vote of no confidence: Maggie Thatcher (1990), but not so much with a majority Blair 1997, same goes with US.
