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Comparing the US and UK Executives - Coggle Diagram
Comparing the US and UK Executives
Roles and Powers of the PM and President
Chief Executive
The president is a singular executive so has sole authority over the government
The PM heads a collective executive (cabinet system-
primus inter pares
)
The president can use direct authroity to issue executive orders, agreements and signing statements.
Head of State
The president is the US Head of State, whereas in the UK this is performed by the monarch.
Legislation
Both leaders initiate legislation, but due to the separation of powers, the president’s power is significantly more limited.
The UK government’s agenda receives majority of parliamentary time, using patronage powers as inducement to vote for legislation.
‘Elective dictatorship’ in UK with governments with sizeable majorities with few checks and balances on the PM
Separation of powers means the president’s party discipline control is limited, as well as patronage powers.
President can veto legislation, whereas if passed by parliament the PM has no choice
September 2019, the EU (Withdrawal) (No.2) Act forced Johnson’s government to seek an extension to the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.
Financial Powers
Congress must approve the president’s budget each year.
Much easier for PM, even in a minority, they generally receive enough votes from other parties, or make necessary changes to avoid rejection and a vote of no confidence.
Military Powers
President is commander-in-chief, whereas this is performed by the monarch.
The PM still acts as the overall military decision-maker, declaring war with the royal prerogative, formally done by monarch.
The president cannot declare war, done by Congress.
Neither country has declared war since the Second World War.
No legal need for PM to consult parliament before committing troops
Libya 2011 and Mali 2013
Argument of constitutional convention of parliamntary approval has emerged since 2003 following the Iraq War.
2013 parliament voted against Cameron’s planned military action in Syria.
Election
US president is directly elected thus has a personal mandate whereas the PM is the leader of whichever party is able to form a government.
PMs who take over between general elections who have not faced the electorate (Rishi Sunak 2022) do not hold the mandate from the last election.
Term Limits
The PM has no term limits, whereas the US Constitution prevents the president being elected for more than 2 terms.
Both executives become less effective at the end of their premiership
Margaret Thatcher was in office for 11 years and 208 days.
Accountability to the Legislatures
Passing Legislation
President makes State of Union Address nad the monarch delivers the Queen’s Speech on behalf of the governemtn at the state opening of parliament.
Congress more critical of legislation, lesss subservient to party leadership, often leading to gridlock, especially when divided.
United governments also struggle
Trump failed to repeal Obamacare in his first 100 days.
President can veto legislation, with a Congress supermajority to overturn this very unlikely.
PM only has one chamber to convince.
Normally hold majority in Commons, as well as the use of whips to ensure party discipline.
Majority governments also struggle
Major’s premiership hampered by Europe divisions within his own party.
Scrutiny of the Executive
Both legislatures use committee systems, however, PMQs mean the PM is personally held accountable.
Removal from Office
Commons can call a vote of no confidence, with a simple majority vote, or can be forced to resign
No president has ever been found guilty by the Senate and removed from office, althoguh 3 have been impeached.
Relationships Between Other Institutions of Government
Cabinet
The US
Presidental nominees need Senate confirmation
Does not share sole authority
US Cabinet Officals are not political rivals
Cabinet officers tend to be policy specialists
The UK
PMs can appoint whoever they like
Primus inter pares
Cabinet ministers generally not policy specialist
Cabinet reshuffles used as control and patronage
PMs can fall if not supported.
Executive Administration
The bureaucratic system of EXOP is far more extensive than the PM’s office and the Cabinet Office.
Vast majority of top civil servants do not change from government, although a number of special advisers do.
US government needs to ill around 4,000 positions, so the character is fundamentally changed.
Structural: The Role of Political Institutions
The fusion of powers in the UK means a PM with a majority has far greater influence than the president
The UK PM can rely on the ‘payroll vote’ whereas the president cannot.
UK cabinet members, composed of members of the Commons and sometimes Lords, means key parliamentarians take collective responsibility
The US has a singular executive as well as benefitting from more extensive administrative support.
The president has greater job security as impeachment is so difficult.
The PM must work hard to retain support from the Commons as a simple majority in Commons can remove them.
Rational: The Role of Individuals Acting in Self-Interest
Responding to a weak legislative position
Collective decision-making was a rational response to the circumstance of a hung parliament as both parties had to agree on policy.
Cameron lacking a majority sought a coalition with Lib Dems, highly focusing on his cabinet.
Obama used direct authroity after losing control of Congress.
Responding to national emergency
Bush declared a ‘war on terror’ ordering US invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq, supported by the UK.
Bush used emergency powers to authorise the extraordinary rendition of terrorist suspects and detention without trial.
Blair ignored his cabinet (Presidentialism) with two ministers resigning in protest against the Iraq War.
Sofa government
Allowed by strong majority and support within the Labour Party.
Both stressed the threat from Iraq’s dictators Saddam Hussein, despite eventual faulty intelligence.
Responding to media criticism
Trump and Johnson adopted populist policies to win electsions, harnessing the informal power of offices to bypass the media.
Trump pushed back dismissing traditional media as ‘fake news’, tactics intended to bolster distrusst Between Trump supporters and news outlets.
Johnson was criticised for following Trumps methods by refusing to be interviewed by Andrew Neil during the 2019 election campaign, discussion of abolition of the BBC licencing fee.
Trump used Twitter to commandeer the poltiical agenda, and Johnson answered People’s PMQs sent in by Facebook users.
Cultural: The Role of Shared Ideas and Culture
Respect and Presidential Status
US Political culture generally affords the president a greater degree of respect, with an important ceremonial role.
When a PM resigns, they continue as an MP, such as Theresa May.
This has been eroded recently by increasing division within US politics
Incorrect claims of the ‘birthed movement’ that Obama had not been born in the US.
Limited Government vs Parliamentary Government
US was created as an alternative to British rule, hostility to overly powerful governemnt is at the heart of poltical culture.
Within parliament, only the Commons can block the PM’s plans, whereas the president faces oppositon from 2 chambers.
Imperial vs Presidential Criticism
US public expect president to act independently from Congress, only likely to be criticised when acting imperially, exceeding normal parameters of authority
The expectation of the PM is to work collaboratively with cabinet ministers and their party, otherwise portrayed as ‘presidential’ and ‘domineering’