President vs Prime minister

Question 1

Intro

Answer 1

The executive branch of government is responsible for creating policy and priorities of government while exercising authority in and enforcing laws made by the legislative branch of government. In the USA the executive is known as the President, and in the UK, they are known as the Prime minister. This essay will discuss and compare the powers and limitations of both.

Question 2

introduce pres point

Answer 2

When introducing legislation, the US president rules on the members of congress. The president may propose a bill or law and send a presidential message to urge them to introduce it.

Question 3

introduce pres example

Answer 3

For example, congressman Kevin McCarthy introduced trumps build a wall and enforce the law in 2018.

Question 4

introduce pres analysis

Answer 4

This highlights the limits of the president’s power as they must be able to persuade members of congress to support and enact their bill.

Question 5

introduce prime explain

Answer 5

In the UK, however, for the prime minister, making policies is much easier as they do not have to rely on others if they have a majority and do not worry about backbench revolts.

Question 6

introduce prime example

Answer 6

For example, Boris Johnson passed his UE withdrawal bill to allow the Brexit process to begin.

Question 7

introduce prime analysis

Answer 7

This shows that policy making in the UK is mainly a numbers game, as they can introduce their own legislation when prime ministers win a significant majority in a general election then work toward passing the policy they put in their party manifesto.

Question 8

introduce conclusion

Answer 8

Overall, it is clear that both executives can propose new legislation, but the prime minister is more powerful in this area as they are able to directly introduce laws themselves without relying on others as long as they have a secure majority. But the president must talk and be able to negotiate with congress in order to get support for the bill. Clearly showing the prime minister is more powerful.

Question 9

ensure pres explain

Answer 9

The president must rely on receiving majority support in congress to ensure legislation is passed. To ensure legislation is passed the president must negotiate with the members of congress to make sure they back their proposals, however if the president cannot persuade congress they can issue an executive order. This means the president can send an order which enforces the way that laws are implemented.

Question 10

ensure pres example

Answer 10

For example, following the 9/11 attacks George W Bush introduced executive order 13228 which created the department of homeland security to combat the threat of terrorism.

Question 11

ensure pres analysis

Answer 11

This highlights a significant available to the president as it can introduce new laws that affect the whole country without a vote in congress. However, they are not always effective as the supreme court can overrule an order if it is deemed to be unconstitutional.

Question 12

ensure prime explain

Answer 12

The UK has a strong whip system in parliament to ensure party discipline, the prime minister can use parliamentary whips to ensure that no backbench MP may revolt against any legislation that is being produced.

Question 13

ensure prime example

Answer 13

For example, Tony Blair used his whips effectively as he suffered no parliamentary defeats in his first two terms as head of the executive branch.

Question 14

ensure prime analysis

Answer 14

This shows that the prime minister can use their position of power to make policies by enforcing party discipline by using whips. Both the president and the prime minister have the power to ensure their legislation is passed,

Question 15

ensure conclusion

Answer 15

but overall it can be argued that the president has more power in this area because in the event of a national emergency they don’t need whips or the agreement of congress since they can issue executive orders. Clearly showing that the limits on the prime minster are more in this area since they need to have the backing of their party.

Question 16

supreme court pres explain

Answer 16

Executive orders can be deemed unconstitutional by the supreme court, as they have the power to reject any law if it goes against the USAs constitution or the bill of rights.

Question 17

supreme court pres example

Answer 17

For example, in 2018 parts of president trumps travel ban which banned entry of 7 Muslim countries into the US was deemed unconstitutional by the supreme court because it was discriminatory to different religions.

Question 18

supreme court pres analysis

Answer 18

This shows that the presidents executive orders cannot always be effective as if the supreme court intervenes in a proposed bill, it can be stopped.

Question 19

supreme court prime explain

Answer 19

However, in the UK, the supreme courts do not have the same power over the executive branch as they cannot reject legislation and can only advise the government, meaning it is the government who can only pass legislation.

Question 20

supreme court prime example

Answer 20

For example, the conservatives attempt to send asylum seekers to Rwanda, despite the supreme court deemed it unconstitutional.

Question 21

supreme court conclusion

Answer 21

This shows that the limits on the executive power is greater in the US as the presidents executive order can be challenged if it is deemed unconstitutional, making the president less effective, whereas in the UK the supreme court cannot really challenge the prime minister, but can only advise the government to not go through with their proposed legislation.

Question 22

overall conclusion

Answer 22

depends on question