UK/US Legislative Branch Comparison Flashcards
What are the similarities and differences between congress and parliament?
US has a federal system so there is equal representation for all states, similairly to how there is 1 MP for each constituency.
The house has proportional representation to reflect the sizes of the states
The UK parliament has evolved over time with it being a medieval system initially and still retaisn those focuses on the monarch and heriditary peers
What are the similarities and differences in the legislative function of congress and parliament?
In the US, both houses have equal legislative power, in the uk, th ecommons are much more powerful. The commons puts forward much greater amount of legislation, lords cannot have a great amount of nfluence on legislation, both houses equally consider legislation. The queens speech is a demand to parlaiment rather than the state of the union which is effectively a list of demands.
What similarities and differences are there in oversight between congress and parliament?
In the US there is strict separation of powers wheras in the UK, there is a degree of fusion. Congress has much greater power over things like approving appointments, the UK has votes of no confidence but this is an informal process. In the US, they lack PMQs which means presidents arent directly accountable to congress, UK has a much more strengthened system of select committees
What are the differences between parliament and congress in terms of representation?
In the USA, candidates are chosen prior by the people through the primary system, in the UK candidates are selected by parties. Congress has much more frequent elections meaning members are held accountable more often.
What are the general similarities and differences between parliament and congress?
Both are bicameral and each house has their own set powers, congress ensures a greater level of oversight due to separation of powers and the checks and balances, in the UK there is a concentration of power in the governing party in the commons, in the US there is a dispersal of power
