Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Politics AS - Unit 2 - Governing the UK > The Executive > Flashcards

The Executive Flashcards

1
Q

Give an example of the Prime Minsiterial power to appoint Lords has been used

A

117 life peers appointed between 2010-11 and majority were Conservatives and Lib-Dems.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What does the Executive compose of?

A

Prime Minster
Cabinet
Civil Service

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

How do you Qualify to be Prime Minster?

A

Prime Minster must be MPs.
They must be a party leader.
His/Her party sully has majority in the House of Commons

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is Presidetnialism?

A

The tendency for political leaders to act increasingly like the executive presidents, through the rise of personalised leadership.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

According to Walter Bagehot, what does ‘primus inter pares’ mean?

A

‘First among equals’
Although he is the primary representative in government, all cabinet minsters should have equal influence in the decision making.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Explain the Role of the Prime Minsters

A

MAKING GOV; He/She has to app pit all other members of the government. The power to ‘hire and fire’ extends to the cabinet and to other minsters. Gives PM substantial control over the cheers of his/her party’s MPs and peers
DIRECTING GOV POLCIY; Sets the overall direction of goers ten only and defines its strategic goals. He/She can interfere in any aspect of policy (mostly focused on economic and foreign policy)
MANAGING THE CABINET SYSTEM; Chairs cabinet meetings, determines their number and their length, also sets up and staff cabinet comitte said
ORGANISING GOV; Responsible for the structure and organisation of government (Setting up, reorganising, abolishing gov departments) and the civil service
CONTROLLING PARLIAMENT; As leader of the largest party; he effectively controls parliament
NATIONAL LEADERSHIP; The link between People and the PM strengthened by the medians rent less focus on the office. Most important at times of national cris, war or n response to major events.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are the Royal Prerogatives? What do they cover

A 
A series of historic powers officer held by the Queen that have in reality been passed to the politicians (usually prime minister). They enable deviousness to be taken without the backing of, or consultation with Parliament; 
Issuing and withdrawal of passports 
Appointments and dismissal of ministers 
Granting of hours 
Declaration of war
Making of treaties 
Appointment and regulation of civil service 
Recognition of a foreign state
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What Problems may David Cameron face with a slim majority in the H of c? (2015)

A

Majority of 12
Many Con backbenchers rebelled in the Coalition government,
Whipping system has to be good to keep party discipline in line.
May end the support of smaller parties

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is Patronage?

A

The power of the PM to decide which MPS will join them in government.
The power to hire and fire, determine the membership of Cabinet Committees gives the PM significant power over the Cabinet Ministers.
Can make promotions or demotions - referrered to as ‘Cabinet Re-shuffle’

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are the advantages disadvantages of Cabinet Re-shuffles?

A

Surround yourself with like minded-allies - As thatcher did with the Wets (One Nation) and Dries (Thatcherite)
Replace enemies with allies. Give a cabinet a fresh start.
Reward loyal backbench MPs with promotion. Demote unpopular or failing ministers.
Disadvantages;
Need to keep Cabinet an MPs happy - ignoring views of MPS can be dangerous
Need to include senior and popular colleagues - demoted or ignored rivals could turn against you
Restricted by coalition gov - Must include lib dem in the Cabinet, Committees and other Ministerial positions.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What example can be given that Prime Ministers are losing power?

A

Constitutional Reform Act (2005) - Restricted the PM’s influence over the selection of judges by creating a judicial appointments commission - Recommends and scrunched PM’s nominations
Fixed-Term Parliament Act - Previously the PM decided when to dissolve Parliament and call a general election

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are the Informal/Personal powers of the PM?

A

Different PMS act differently and have different personalities
Current affairs can greatly impact the PM’s personnel power
Power of the PM not static - it can increase and decrease over time according to current events.
Without strong political powers, The Prime Minster may not be able to make as much use of their institutional powers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What can limit the power of the Prime Minister?

A

” Events delay boy, events” - Harold MacMillian
Lack of Party support: Thatcher in 1990, Gordon Brown after 2008
Policy failure e.g U-Turns on policy weakens PM’s perception in the party
Lack of International support
Lack of media support e.g Gordon Brown
Coalition government

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are the powers of the Prime Minister

A

Can exercise the royal prerogative powers
Power of Patronage -Appoint dismiss minsters
Significant control over the Cabinet;
Chairs meetings
Decides topics, lengths and frequency of meetings
Decides the number of cabinet committees and sub-committees
Cabinet reshuffles
Leadership of party
Access to the media

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the Cabinet?

A

The collective decision making body of the government which includes the Prime Minister and the the other Cabinet Minters.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is the Role of the Cabinet?

A

FORMAL POLICY APPROVED; Policies have to be approved by the Cabinet in order to become official government policy. However some policies can be made by the PM without consulting the cabinet. (E.g Blair granted BOE semi-independence in setting rates).
POLICY CO-ORDINATION; The cabinet serves to ensure that ministers know what is going on in other departments and also helps to reconcile the responsibilities of minsters for their individual departments with their responsibility to the gov as a whole. Helps to join up government.
RESOLVE DISPUTES; Most disputes between minsters and department are resolved at a lower level. The cabinet can at times serve as the final court of appeal for disagreements that cannot be resolved elsewhere.
FORU OF DEBATE; The cabinet can be used by the PM and other ministers as a sound board to raise issues and to stimulate discussion. Time for this is very limited
PARTY MANAGEMENT; The cabinet also takes account of the views and morale of the parliamentary party. Chief whip attends cabinet meetings and s usually a full cabinet member.
SYMBOL OF COLLECTIVE GOV; Regualar cabinet meetings to which the PMR reports and at which major policies are approved maintain the collective face of the ‘UK’ government. Underpinned by the convention of CMR

17
Q

What is Collective Ministerial Responsibility?

A

Constitutional convention that stars if the government is drafted in a vote of no confidence, all members would collectively resign and call a general election.
All decisions reached by the Cabinet or Miniterial committee are binding on al members of the gov and all members of the government should gov policy in public.
If Government minsters want to criticise government policy then theoretically they should resign then critics from the backbench
E.g In 2003, Labour MP and Leader of the H of C, Robin Cook resigned from the Cabinet because he disagreed with gov policy on Iraq.

18
Q

Why has the convention of Collective Ministerial responsibility been questioned?

A

Cabinet Ministers have criticised their coalition partners in pubic
Coalition gov as filed to unite over several coalition policies
E.g Lib Dem and Con supported H of L reform in 2010 Manifesto however Cn backbench MPs opposed this and drafted the plans.

19
Q

Name some Cabinet Committees and Sub-committees

A

National Security Council, Social Justice Committee

Sub-committee; Nucelar, Deterrence and Security.

20
Q

How are Cabinet Meetings effected by Coalition Govs?

A

Each committee has a chair from one party and deputy chair from the other party.
PM has to consult deputy PM on important decisions
Coalition committee meet weekly to discuss issues relating to the workings of the coalition agreement.

21
Q

Explain how Formal meetings are being challenged by informal meeting (including coalition)

A

Tony Blair made infrequency use of Full cabinet meetings (30 minutes)
Tony Blair favoured ‘sofa government’ which was one none meeting between the PM and individual ministers

22
Q

What is Individual Ministerial Responsibility?

A

A constitutional convention that says that Ministers are responsible to Parliament and should take responsibility for the mistakes of their civil servants.
In the event of policy failure, the convention says that the Minister should resign
Civil servants should be oral ad supportive of whatever minister or government in office.

23
Q

Difference between Ministers and Civil Servanats

A 
Ministers: 
Elected opticians 
Party members 
Temporary 
Public figures 
Run departments 
Make policy 
Responsible to Parliament 
Civil Servants; 
Appointed facials 
Politically neutral 
Permanent 
Anonymous 
Work n departments 
Advise on policy and Implement them
Responsible to minsters
24
Q

What are the main theories of executive power are there

A

Cabinet Government
Prime-Ministerial Government
Presidentialism
Core Executive model

25
Q

What is Cabinet Government?

A

Seen as the Traditional view of the U.K. EXECUTIVE but is underpinned by then convention of collected responsibility.
Power is located within the Cabinet rather than the PM
All ministers are equal, with each f them having the capacity to influence gov policy and shape the direction of government.
Each members view carries equal weight .

26
Q

What is Prime-Ministerial government?

A

Started to replace cabinet government
The core feature of this view is that it is the PM, and not the Cabinet, who dominates both the Executive and Parliament.
PM dominates the policy -making process. He/She makes major decisions and exerts influence
Cabinet only seen as a source of support

27
Q

What is Presidentialism?

A

PM increasingly resembling presidents. E.g Blair, Thatcher and Wilson
Emphasises the dominance of the PM over the Cabinet.
Growth of Spatial leadership - distancing from parties or the government needs be loping a persona ideological stance e.g Blair and Thacthher.
Wider use of special advisors

28
Q

What is the Core-Executive Model of Power?

A

Neither PM or Cabinet is a a independent actor
Each of them exercises influence through a network of relationships, formal and informal
The balance of power within the core executive is affected by the resources avaialble to them
Wider factors (economic and diplomatic developments) influence the workings of the core executive.

29
Q

What is the Core Executive?

A

Informal network of bodies and actors at the apex of gov which plays key roles in the the formulation of policy and the direction of government.
Includes;
Prime Ministers Office (senior political advisors, over 100)
Cabinet
Key MPS and peers
Senior officials in Treasury and other major of departments

30
Q

What are the 3 styles of leadership?

A

Laissez-Faire Leaders; These are leaders who are reluctant to interfere in matters outside their personal responsibility. Tend to have a ands off approach to the cabinet, gov and party management e.g Alec Douglas Home)
Transactional leaders; These are leaders who acts as brokers, concerned to uphold the collective face of government by negotiating compromises and balancing rial individuals, faction and interests e.g John Major)
Transformational leaders; These are leader who inspire or are Visionaries. They tend o be motivated not only by strong ideological convictions but they also have the personal resolution a political will to put them into practice e.g Thatcher and Blair.

31
Q

What are the main constants on the PM

A 
Cabinet 
Party 
The electorate 
The media 
The pressure of events
32
Q

Why do Ministers resign?

A

Policy disagreements - Linked to collective ministerial responsibility e.g Robin Cook
Ministerial Blunders - Personal mistakes by themselves, Edwina Currie in 2988 over fears about salmonella in eggs
Personal Scandals - Personal behaviour for the mister, esp those that attract negative media coverage for. Peter Hain over donations to his equity leadership campaign

Politics AS - Unit 2 - Governing the UK (4 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions