Theoretical approaches to the executives

Question 1

Structural

Answer 1

• The fusion of powers means the pm and govt are part of parliament. This gives a pm with a majority far greater ability to influence the legislature than the president, as the separation of powers limits the presidents control of congress
• The USA has a singular executive whereas the UK has a system of cabinet govt. President has sole authority whereas pm is first among equals. President also benefits from more extensive administrative support than the pm
• Difficult for Congress to impeach and try the president. In the UK, the HoC can remove the pm with a simple majority vote

Question 2

Rational

Responding to a weak legislative position

Answer 2

• Barack Obama and David Cameron both spent part of thhier tenure without the benefits of their party having a majority in the legislature
• Cameron formed a coalition govt with the lib dems, used the quad cabinet committee to deliver collective decison making
• Obama’s cabinet did not help him control congress. Rather than making alliances, he used direct authority. Making executive orders and agreements allowed him to bypass a hostile congress

Question 3

Rational

Responding to national emergency

Answer 3

• Bush and Blair both faced national emergency in the form of 9/11 attacks and subsequent threats from terrorism
• Both maximised control
• Bush increased the emergency powers of the president, and Blair was accused of a ‘presidential’ style of government
• Two ministers resigned in protest to the Iraq War

Question 4

Rational

Responding to media criticism

Answer 4

• Bojo and Trump both won elections using populist policies
• When in power, both were criticised for a confrontational attitude to the media, and developed their populist credentials by using social media to speak directly to people

Question 5

Cultural

Respect and presidential status

Answer 5

• US political culture generally affords the president a greater degree of respect than the UK prime minister
• Has an important ceremonial role e.g. air force one
• When a president’s term ends they retain the title of president and retire with the highest possible status
• In contrast when a pm resigns they continue to be a member of parliament, e.g. Gordon Brown and May went to the backbenches

Question 6

Cultural

Imperial vs presidential criticism

Answer 6

• US public expect their president to act independently of congress and take executive action as required
• In the UK, public expectations of the pm are different, pm’s who dont follow a collegiate apprach with their cabinet colleagues are portrayed as presidential

Question 7

Cultural

Limited govt vs parliamentary govt

Answer 7

• The US was created as an alternative to british rule, hositlity to an overtly powerful govt is the hear of its political culture
• The office of the pm evolved in the context of parliamentary govt. Parliamentary sovreignity has been rooted in British culture since the English civil war and allows the pm to exercise enourmous power