US and UK comparative Flashcards
Similarities of their constitutions (4)
- Enable representative, accountable and democratically elected government
- Elements of convention e.g. judicial review not specifically mentioned in US Const + Sailsbury convention in UK
- HRA 1998 provided guidelines for Parliament legislation to comply with, just as the US Constitution does for Congressional law
- Devolution has made the UK system of government slightly more federal than unitary e.g power
Differences in their constitutions (4)
- Uncodified vs codified
- Unitary gov (centralised in Westminster) vs federal gov (shared between Washington and states)
- Fusion of powers vs separation
- Parliamentary sovereignty vs constitutional
Executive- PM has more power (6)
- Sole and elected leader of party
- Can usually rely on support and loyalty of MPs
- Normally commands majority in Commons
- Collective cabinet responsibility ensures ministerial support
- Less likely to have actions struck down by UKSC
- Unlimited terms e.g. Thatcher, Blair
Limitations of the PM (UK) (3)
- Backbench revolts increasingly common e.g. 119 Tory MPs voted against May’s deal in 2019
- Power restricted by coalitions e.g. Cameron 2010-15 with LibDems
- Actions limited by UKSCe.g. R (Miller) v Brexit Secretary 2017, government unable to implement Brexit without Parliament approval
Executive- President has more power (5)
- Huge administrative and policy advice resources
- Personal mandate through direct election
- Entrenched, formal constitutional powers
- Ability to nominate USSC judges to reflect personal policy views and aims
- Commander in chief, world’s biggest military budget
Limitations of the President (3)
- Popular vote required for true mandate?e.g. Clinton won 2.87 million more votes
- Restricted by uncooperative legislaturee.g. Obama unable to pass gun control reform due to GOP majority in House
- Prolonged and failed military campaigns can tarnish reputatione.g. LBJ and Vietnam
Similarities of the Judiciary (4)
- Both face increasing publicity and controversye.g. R Miller v Brexit Sec. 2017, Kavanaugh hearings 2018
- Judicial independence and review
- Unaccountable, unelected
- Appointed on a life basis
Differences of the Judiciary (4)
- Constitutional sovereignty means the USSC has a much greater impact on laws and public
- USSC key in development of civil rights vs Parliamentary legislation in UK
(USSC - Brown vs board)
(UKP - Equality act 1965) - UKSC independently appointed by JAC, USSC more politicised (President, hearings)
- UKSC linked to / limited by EU law vs USSC highest court in land
Similarities in Electoral systems (3)
- Majoritarian systems, FPTP in executive elections
- Voter profiles and current issues play a major role in voting behaviour
- Concerns over participation and turnout (69% UK 2017, 61% USA 2016)
Differences in Electoral systems (7)
- Direct election of President vs UK MPs
- Greater number and types of election in US
- Campaigns focused on candidate vs UK party
- National referendums in UK
- More expensive and unregulated elections in US vs Electoral Commission UK
- Race and religion more important in US vs class/income UK
- Turnout markedly lower in US (complex registration processes)
Differences in Political Parties (4)
- Broader and less centralised in US (50 parties?)
- Greater influence of third parties in UK (e.g. MEP elections 2019)
- Clear party leaders and manifestos in UK
- Party discipline greater in UK e.g. whip system
Differences in Pressure groups (3)
- Structure of US government allows more access points
- Greater party links to trade unions rather than pressure groups in UK e.g. over 50% of Labour MPs had links to Unite the Union in 2015
- More effective lobbying in US (JASTA) vs collective cabinet responsibility UK
Similarities in Civil Rights (3)
- Both have laws in place to protect rightse.g. HRA 1998 UK, VRA 1965 USA
- Development of civil liberties seen over time
- Women’s suffrage linked to other causes e.g. WW1 UK, Prohibition/temperance USA
Differences in Civil Rights (6)
- More entrenched in US (Bill of Rights, codified)
- Greater history of struggle for minorities in USA
- Higher profile for individual rights in USA e.g. gun rights
- International influence on civil rights in UK (ECHR)
- Hyper-partisanship over issues in USA e.g. abortion
- Dominant role of USSC in CRM vs Parliament in UK
What is rational theory
Focus on individuals
e.g President, Senators, Prime Minister, Congressmen, Lords and MPs
What is structural theory
Focus on structures
e.g Regional Power, Legislative Processes, Election Processes, Constitution, Sovereign Bodies and Other Political Processes and Institutions
What is cultural theory
Focus on groups
e.g Pressure Groups, Political Parties, Factions and Voter Groups
Reasons why some Pressure Groups in the UK have high levels of influence while others don’t
Access points, weak parties, rights protection and number and frequency of elections
Methods used by US and UK Pressure Groups
Direct action and demonstrations, legal methods, electioneering, lobbying and publicity
Similarities regarding campaign finance in both countries include..
Concerns about the involvement of money in US and UK elections, legal regulations of campaign finance and donors in both countries are not particularly limited, despite campaign finance laws
Monitoring Body for Donations and Expenditure in the US vs UK
The Federal Election Commission vs The Electoral Commission
The Role of Outside Groups in the US
Creation of Super PACs means that donors can give unlimited money, even if this money cannot go directly to a candidate’s official campaign, donations to political parties are largely unregulated
The Role of Outside Groups in the UK
In 2015, no group could spend more than £9750 per constituency in an election campaign, no limit on the amount an outside group can donate to a political part
Limits on Campaign Expenditure in the US
No real limits, maximum limit only applied to presidential candidates who take federal funding, which is now rejected by candidates from both partie
How is the US allowed to have super PACs?
- Citizens United v FEC 2010
- Undermined the BCRA, overturning regulations on outside spending and allowing for the creation of Super PACs
How has the US attempted to limit the impact of interest groups in election campaigns? (2)
- The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act 2002: Tried to close some of FECA’s loopholes by limiting outside expenditure from interest groups during election campaigns
- Federal Election Campaign Act 1974: Introduced maximum donations, expenditure by presidential candidates and federal fundin
How does the UK limit outside influence in elections? (2)
- Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014: Regulated the expenditure of outside groups, any pressure group spending £10,000+ during an election campaign must register with the Electoral Commission
- The Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000:Required all parties to register with the Electoral Commission and put controls on donation
Similarities between Conservatives and Republicans in Moral and Social Policy
Typically resisted or opposed extension and protection of civil rights and both parties opposed these acts in their respective countries
Similarities between Labour and Democrats in Moral and Social Policy
Adopt a liberal approach to civil rights, Labour Party created the Human Rights Act and Democratic Party crafted the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act
Similarities between Conservatives and Republicans in Economic Policy
See government intervention in the economy as a risk to personal freedom, favour reduction in public expenditure, especially on welfare, champion the reduction of taxation, and have resisted the introduction and increase in the national minimum wag
Similarities between Labour and Democrats in Economic Policy
Favour an active role for government, using economic policy to promote social justice, favour higher government expenditure, especially on the provision of health, education and benefits, Brown and Obama attempted to stimulate the economy and protect jobs through the increase of government expenditure
Similarities between Conservatives and Republicans in Welfare and Social Justice
Tend to favour a reduction in the role of the state, critical of big government, stress personal responsibility, with the Tories introducing major welfare cuts since 2010 and Republicans opposing the ACA and supporting cuts to food stamps
Similarities between Labour and Democrats in Welfare and Social Justice
Typically champion the cause of social justice, view the system as unfair, the provision of greater health care, access to education and benefits are central to the ideology, Labour are the founders of the NHS, and the Democrats the ACA
Differences between Party Systems in the UK and US
UK has stronger third-party presence than the US, and is arguably a multi-party system, whereas the two main UK parties fall well below the near 100% of seats held by Dems and the GOP, and in the UK the two party system is characterised by a pendulum effect, with power swinging between the two, whereas in the US both parties often have power at the same time
Similarities between Party Systems in the UK and US
Two dominant parties, with only politicians from these two main parties heading the executive in recent years and third parties having some power at regional level
Rights are more effectively protected in the US
Sovereign Constitution allows US courts to overturn the actions of any institution, including Congress, if it restricts civil liberties, which UK courts cannot and because the US has an entrenched Constitution, court rulings cannot be easily overturned by other political bodies
Rights are more effectively protected in the UK
The UK Human Rights Act provides extensive legal protection of civil liberties, and Parliament is unlikely to reject decisions made by the court that have protected civil rights
Similarities of the President and Prime Minister on Politics and Government
Both are dominant political figures, both act as a driving force for the policy agenda, both are subject to constraints by the legislature and are subject to limits from public opinion
Advantages of being a President
Imperial Presidency suggests that Presidents can bypass some of the checks intended by the Founding Father using executive orders etc, some PMs also find it difficult to dominate the rest of the executive and can be heavily curtailed by parliament if they have a small majority
Advantages of being a Prime Minister
Easier to pass legislation through parliament, can use patronage to encourage backbenchers to stay loyal and vote for government bills, and the government dominates parliament, so a PM will be very powerful if they can dominate the rest of the executive branch
Comparing the Chief Legislator
In both countries, the head of the executive branch has assumed a major role in the legislative process, arguably acting as the dominant force, in the UK, this is based on the PMs position as the head of the party with the majority, in the US, the President has been able to use their national mandate and superior resources to become known was the chief legislator
Comparing the Commander in Chief
US Constitution gives this role to the President, allowing them. great deal of control over military matters, through royal prerogative, the PM effectively has this role, and can order military action and lack of absolute clarity in both countries over who has the final say - Congress and Parliament can assert some control
Comparing the Chief Diplomat
Both President and PM are main negotiators with other countries, taking a lead in international relation, and in both countries this power is limited by the legislatures
Comparing the Head of State
This role is held by the President in the US, the presidency combines a larger set of roles and responsibilities than the position of PM, this role is held by the monarch in the UK, not the PM, and gives the President a stronger ceremonial role in the US and arguably greater authority as a symbol of their nation
Weaknesses of the House of Lords (3)
- Has limited power to check government because it cannot overturn legislative proposals or insist on amendments
- Has limited legislative power with no power to block legislation, amendments can be overturned by Commons and limited by Salisbury convention in blocking bills
- Unelected and unaccountable, Lords lack democratic legitimacy
Weaknesses of the Senate (2)
- 6 Year terms are arguably too long, 2 senators per state leads to over representation of small states
- Use of filibuster can be seen as undemocratic and leads to ineffective government
Weaknesses of Parliament (3)
- Insufficient checks on the government due to government majority/ whip system and patronage, only one chamber with significant checking power
- Is mainly a reactive body considering government proposals with limited significant initiation of bills, has a fairly limited ability and willingness to challenge government proposals
- Use of FPTP elections leads to lack of voter choice and safe seats in the UK, as well as disproportionality between votes and seats, and the party with the most votes does not necessarily get the most seats
Weaknesses of Congress (3)
- Provides excessive checks leading to weak government, for example through legislative gridlock and partisanship in Congress has led to unacceptably high levels of checks under divided government
- Power is shared in Congress, making it extremely difficult to pass legislation, some legislative procedures such as ‘pork barrel legislation’ are undesirable
- Use of FPTP elections leads to lack of voter choice and safe seats, the party with the most votes does not necessarily get the most seats
Strengths of the House of Lords (3)
- Expertise gives authority in scrutinising government actions and policies, limits to checks (cannot block bills) and ensures scrutiny but not weak government
- Lords have influence over legislation via their ability to amend and delay bills, their expertise gives Lords authority over legislative matters
- Serves the interests of the people because it can use its own judgment, not strongly affected by the government/ patronage/ whips and therefore can represent the people if the government is carrying out unpopular policies
Strengths of the Senate (2)
- Specialist function of removal from office after impeachment
- Representative due to separation of powers, 6 year term allows Senators to take a more rational/ long term view of public interests
Strengths of the House of Commons
Elected chamber with a tradition of MPs
Strengths of the House of Representatives (2)
- Specialist function of impeachment
- 2 year terms and separation of powers leads to high sensitivity to public opinion
