The Constitutional Power Of The President Exceeds That Of The Prime Minister

Question 1

What is a signif comparison between the two?

Answer 1

-the PM is primus inter pares (first among equals)
-the pres constitutional position of exec is defined in article 2 (second 2 outlines pres powers + section 3 outlines responsibilities)

Question 2

What does the prime minister being first among equals mean?

Answer 2

-most important member of the cab
-but they govern in a collective manner

Question 3

What does this constitutional position allow the PM to do?

Answer 3

-control policy direction as chief executive
-signif influence over policy development + gov priorities - set gov legislative agenda + influence national policy through cab meeting decisions

Question 4

What is an example of the PM setting the legislative agenda?

Answer 4

-May + Brexit process 2016-19
-invokes article 50 of treaty of EU March 2017 beginning formal process leaving EU -signif decision reflecting leadership initiating a historic process

Question 5

What else does primus inter pares allow the PM to do?

Answer 5

-appointment power to appoint cab ministers
-drawn from MPs + PM has discretion on what gov deps they will lead

Question 6

What is an example of this appointment power?

Answer 6

-Kier Starmer’s appointment of Rachel Reaces as first female Chancellor exchequer 2024

Question 7

What does article 2 section 2 state about the President’s constitutional position?

Answer 7

-lays out presidential powers enumerated in constitution
-e.g. pres commander in chief on armed forces + has power to grant pardons + reprieves

Question 8

What is an example of the president wielding the power to pardon?

Answer 8

-Ford’s pardon Sept 1974 of Nixon after taking office following Nixon resignation
-pardoned Nixon for crimes committed in office relating to watergate scandal

Question 9

What was the impact of this?

Answer 9

-met with widespread criticism believed it an attempt shield Nixon from legal consequences
-signif decline in Ford popularity
-viewed as politically motivated move + abuse of power

Question 10

What is the overall role of article 2?

Answer 10

-est framework for exec role in federal gov incl pres authority, method of election, impeachment, pres powers etc.

Question 11

What is another signif comparison between the two regarding the limits placed upon each?

Answer 11

-PM = doctrine of parl sovereignty to PM power
-pres = signif of check + balances on pres power

Question 12

What is the doctrine of parl sovereignty?

Answer 12

-asserts parl as supreme legal authority with power make, change of repeal any law
-no other body can overrule or set aside laws passed by parl as central to uncodified constitution (make SL)

Question 13

What are 2 key elements to this doctrine?

Answer 13

-parl can make or unmake any law
-supremacy to the HoC

Question 14

What is the element of parl being able to make or unmake any law?

Answer 14

-authority pass any law on any matter
-means can legislate on wide variety of of subjects + no law immune from repeal etc.

Question 15

What is an example of this?

Answer 15

-abolition death penalty 1965 under Murder act suspending death pen for trial of 5yrs + then made permanent 1969

Question 16

How does this demonstrate parl sovereignty?

Answer 16

-parl absolute power make + unmake the law regarding death pen
-political + legislative decisions made by elected representatives in parl + no court has power to challenge or invalidate law
-although debate + public disagreement parl authority to overrule this

Question 17

How do checks and balances limit the pres power?

Answer 17

-back to FF + fears of tyrannical rule
-prevented pres becoming too powerful as wanted get away from authority of br monarch with separation of powers

Question 18

How does the Congress check + balance power of pres?

Answer 18

-through power to override a pres veto

Question 19

How can Congress override a pres veto?

Answer 19

-need 2/3 supermajority in both chambers effectively voting against own pres

Question 20

What is an example of how difficult it is?

Answer 20

-Congress only override one of Obamas 12 vetoes
-e.g. justice against sponsors of terrorism act making it easier for citizens sue foreign states for acts of terrorism

Question 21

What veto of trumps was overridden?

Answer 21

-veto of annual defence spending bill sharply criticised by Repub McConnell - senate majority leader
-pointed out legislation had been passed ‘59 yrs in row’ + was essential to ‘our brave men + women’ in armed forces

Question 22

How does this limit the pres power?

Question 23

How does the media influence the power of the president and prime minister?

Answer 23

-PM = act as check or amplifier of power
-pres = shape public opinion + check power

Question 24

What roles does the media play regarding the PM?

Answer 24

-shaping public opinion
-scrutiny and accountability

Question 25

How does the UK media shape public opinion?

Answer 25

-how public perceives PM + their policies
-public opinion can affect PM legitimacy + political capital

Question 26

What is the impact of favourable coverage?

Answer 26

-strengthen position allowing them pursue their agenda with greater ease
-but negative or critical coverage damage reputation, reduce public support + weaken position

Question 27

What is an example of this?

Answer 27

-during Brexit referendum media central role shaping public opinion in favor + against
-way PM leadership prostrated in media influence successes or failure of positions

Question 28

How does the media scrutinise and hold to account the PM?

Answer 28

-scrutinising gov actions, policies + decisions
-journalists investigate, report + expose potential missteps or scandals undermining credibility

Question 29

What is an example of this?

Answer 29

-partygate scandal during COVID
-regarding PM + MP party

Question 30

How did the media respond to the partygate scandal

Answer 30

-the mirror first reported it sparking public outcry
-drew attention to initial denial fuelling controversy when revelations appeared contradicting statements
-e.g. daily mail published article claiming Johnson attended party may 2020 at Downing Street when people were banned from meeting others

Question 31

How does the media impact the power of the US president?

Answer 31

-shaping public opinion
-electoral campaigns + media strategy

Question 32

How does the media shape the US public opinion?

Answer 32

-signif influences how public perceives pres affecting approval ratings + political capital

Question 33

What is an example of this?

Answer 33

-Obama approval ratings boosted by media coverage of the affordable care act 2010 - up to 60% early 2010
-but media criticism of initial Obamacare rollout problems hurt his image + lowered approval ratings

Question 34

How does the media impact election campaigns?

Answer 34

-pres ability navigate media landscape during campaigns crucial securing political power
-candidates use media to communicate message, define their opponents + present their visions

Question 35

What is an example of this?

Answer 35

-during 2024 election campaign both Harris (Kamala HQ) + Trump had effective publicity/media teams with TikTok platforms + instagram targeting all eligible age groups