...CONSIDERATION IN MARKING [pic] To what extent is the prime minister first among equals? This essay will compare the prime ministerial styles of Thatcher and Blair and compare presidential styles to collective cabinet government. It explains what can happen when a prime minister has too much power and is more than just first among equals. It concludes that in recent years the prime minster has exerted too much power and is ignoring his cabinet. By the 1830s the Westminster system of what we now as cabinet government emerged. The head of the government is the prime minister. Leech et al define the prime minister as: “A head of government whose power normally derives in Britain from leadership of the largest party in the legislature, more exceptionally from the enjoyment of the confidence of a cross –party parliamentary majority. The prime minister is not head of state” (p.191, 2011), UK Politics is devised from a constitutional monarchy: the monarch is the head of state. Leech et al (2011) further state that Sir Robert Walpole (1721-1742), holds this claim as he was the first Lord of the Treasury. In 1905 it was given royal warrant thus giving it legal status (Schaffer, 2011). The key aspect of the prime minister’s power is defined as someone who gives leadership and represents the nation at home but also abroad (Leech et al, 2011, p. 193). The prime minister also steers the government by directing government policies and strategies and by chairing the cabinet. Prime ministers...
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...American Democracy: The Importance of Political Participation “Elites” have a great effect on political socialization and participation in America. There are three factors that affect socialization and political participation that stand taller than the rest. First is the limited growth in worker wages. While the wealthy businessmen continue to get richer and the lower class workers continue to get lower wages, the median of the incomes between the two is rising. (Dye) This allows for the minimum wages of lower class workers to keep decreasing and go unnoticed because statistics look at the median wages for Americans when in actuality, it is a combination of average and median values that give more accuracy in the perception of the state of worker wages. Regretfully, this truth is disregarded as many large businesses display those statistics and continue to mask this growing dilemma in our economy. Second, most electorates are completely oblivious about anything going on that does not directly affect them, and often they still don’t know anything about what is greatly affecting them. Because they are uninformed, they do not know of any problems and thus do not particularly care. This is demonstrated by the fact that many support certain institutions in which they do not support the people who run the institutions. (Dye) This is not necessarily due to elitists, but it does continue to drive a wedge further between the elites and the lower class, which is how the elites would...
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...08 Fall How governments are formed There are no codified rules in the UK to state how government is formed, in theory it is in the hands of the monarch – up until the 19thCentury this was largely a reality. However the monarch no longer plays any active role in this process. The party that wins a majority of seats in the House of Commons after a general election, its leader will be invited by the monarch to form a government. 2010 Coalition * Conservatives were longest party in HoC but failed to win overall majority * Labour negotiated a coalition with LibDems and later the LibDems negotiated with both main parties for a coalition * Labour and LibDem did not make an overall majority * Gordon Brown later resigned and advised the Queen to ask Cameron to form a government either as a minority or in coalition with LibDems. * Cameron accepted and formed coalition with LibDem ‘The Government’ 25 members are members of the HoL and 90 are MPs. MPs that are from the party that is in government ate not members of government! They are known as backbenchers and the members of government are known as frontbenchers. All members of government are appointed by the PM. The cabinet (22-23 members) meet regularly. Ministerial selection The PM must weigh up the qualities of individuals against the political consequences of appointing them. Qualities that ideal ministers should possess: * Must be politically reliable * Must have potential ...
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...all laws passed in parliamentary government. Whereas the head of government is the leader of the ruling party and is the chief of the executive branch. Their responsibilities are implementing laws and making all important decisions with the approval of the cabinet. In the presidential form of government the head of government and the head of state are the same individual whereas in our government the head of state is the Queen and the head of government is the prime minister. One way that the prime minister can be seen as becoming presidential is the greater concentration on the presentation of policy. The prime minister likes to be associated with the positive policies being enforced and passed through their government, guidance and leadership. So as to add to their public appeal. Famously Blair announced on Breakfast TV that the government was to make significant investments in the health service. Brown accused the prime minister of stealing his budget when in fact Brown was due to make the announcement the following day as part of his spending review. A second way in which the prime minister appears presidential is the growth in the use of Downing Street as a 'hub' which mimics that of a presidential executive office. This change mainly came about under Blair who was all for the use of Downing Street as a place of work. On taking office Blair issued Alistair Campbell and Jonathon Powell the power to issue...
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...Short Paper Question: What is Presidentialism? What is Parliamentarism? How are they different? MA, KING MAN CLARENCE UID: 3035145158 POLI 1003 Tutor: Chiu Tak Short Paper Question: What is Presidentialism? What is Parliamentarism? How are they different? Introduction This paper will demonstrate the most prominent features of both Presidentialism and Parliamentarism, thus distinguish between their most contrasting features. I will be tackling this paper from different perspectives, in order to ultimately to suggest a better structure of government. Features such as the efficiency of each system in implementing government policies needs to be considered. Furthermore, factors such as political stability and order needs to be considered in suggesting a better form of government. Political stability refers to the frequency at which the government changes, where as political order refers to level of civil obedience every time there is a change to the political system. Parliamentary system In a political system run by a parliamentary system, the executive power of the government resides with the Prime Minster and her/her cabinet, which is voted by a democratically voted legislature. The party which holds the majority of the support, is said to have the 'confidence' of the cabinet. In the case where there is no majority party in the cabinet, decisions and actions of the government are decided through a series of bargains and debates between the different parties in the...
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...Unibersidad De Manila 659-A Justice Cecilia Munoz-Palma Street, Ermita, Manila, Metro Manila Parliamentary: A Good Form of Government Aira C. Adao UC-48 Prof. Marvin Ignacio Politics and Governance January 20, 2015 I. Title: Parliamentary: A Good Form of Government II. Abstract HYPOTHESIS 1. What is Parliamentary Government? 2. What are the types of Parliamentary Government? 3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of Parliamentary System? 4. What countries are implementing Parliamentary System? 5. What is the difference between Parliamentary System and Presidential System? OBJECTIVES * To point out the good sides of the Parliamentary system. * To discuss the process of legislation of the Parliamentary Government. * To tackle the important topic about Parliamentary system. * To form a good information to the readers about the essence of Parliamentary system. SIGNIFICANCE * This term paper gives information to the reader about the system of Parliamentary Government. * This paper will benefit the ones who search information about the essence of Parliamentary system. III. Introduction Parliament, (from Old French: parlement; Latin: parliamentum) the original legislative assembly of England, Scotland, or Ireland and successively of Great Britain and the United Kingdom; legislatures in some countries that were once British colonies are also known as parliaments. The British Parliament, often referred...
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...Are UK prime ministers as powerful as sometimes claimed? Prime Ministers are as powerful as sometimes claimed as they are treated as spokespeople for government by the media. This makes the public think the Prime Minister is in charge of the whole government on his own, instead of being primus inter pares – first among individuals. For example, Prime ministers have taken on board the idea of ‘spatial leadership’ separating the prime minister from the rest of government rather like a president. This has created a Presidential ‘style’ amongst Prime Ministers. Some recent prime ministers such as Thatcher and Blair have styled themselves on US presidents. In addition, prime ministers also get power from other sources - They dominate cabinet government, it is argued that cabinet has declined and so the power of the prime minister has increased. For example Blair dominated the cabinet by chairing cabinet meetings, managing the agendas, as well as summing up the decisions at the end. They also gain power as they are able to choose who part of the cabinet is, and fill it with likeminded people ensuring all policies wanted are passed as thatcher did shortly before she had to step down. Furthermore, they are able to take advantage of extensive prerogative powers, especially in foreign policy terms as he is the Head of Armed Forces and decides on direction of overall conduct of armed forces and intelligence services Such as when Blair went to war with Iraq without majority of votes...
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...we share some ideas for us to get the best idea for the format design and the questioner of the group assignment. As the member of the group, I finish all includes to my topic that assigned by our leader and submit to the leader to compile all the profile of the chosen develop country and the Philippines. Philippines The form of government of the Philippines is a Republic Government, which is the Filipino people, elects a representative to lead and to make laws. The government has three branches: the legislative branch, executive branch, and the judicial branch. The president is the head of the state and the head of the government. The political organization of the Philippine government occurs within an organization structure of a presidential representatives; and democratic republic with the president as both head of the state and head of the government. The Filipino people are free to vote at the age of 18 years...
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...certain areas in the country and abroad, There are 22 paid members of the cabinet that deal with many areas, the top man is David Cameron who is the Prime minister and the “First among equals” and because our current government is a coalition we have a deputy PM who is Nick Clegg, David Cameron picks the cabinet and they are not elected into cabinet but still hold onto their constituency, Cameron must pick his cabinet to benefit him and his country, if he places someone in cabinet who is very popular they may then challenge for leadership of the party, but cabinet is always the same, some prime ministers use it differently, like Thatcher and Blair, but is cabinet government dead? In 1979 a new prime minister was entering the government, this person was a lady called Margaret Thatcher, she is said to be the “Iron lady” and a woman that dominated her cabinet, she was knows as a prime minister that ignored her cabinet a lot of time as she was more of a presidential figure in government, but this could of all been different in her cabinet, during the start of her premiership in office she was a weak prime minister and her cabinet was very powerful, she needed something that would allow her to have power in her own government and for the rest of her terms in office, the first factor that helped her was the Iranian Embassy siege, which involved SAS members rescuing hostages in the building in London, she used this and it was called “One of televisions greatest moments” but this wasn’t...
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...Government & Politics Unit 2 * Constitution * Codified Constitution ✓ * Advantages & Disadvantages * Features * Uncodified Constitution ✓ * Advantages & Disadvantages * Features * Is Parliament Sovereign? ✓ * Arguments For and Against * Strengths and Weaknesses of the UK’s constitution ✓ * Constitutional Reforms – Coalition and 1997-2010 ✓ * What are they? * Are they effective? * PM & Cabinet * Features & Functions of the PM ✓ * What must a politician be to becoming PM * What can a PM do? * Functions of Cabinet ✓ * Factors that affect promotion and resignation of a minister ✓ * Powers and Constraints of PM ✓ * Theories of Executive Power ✓ * PM V Cabinet ✓ * Parliament * Functions of Parliament ✓ * What are they? * How effective are they? * Powers of Parliament ✓ * What are they? * How effective are they? * Parliamentary Reform ✓ * What are they? * How effective are they? * Relationship between Parliament and Government ✓ * Factors that affect it * How the coalition affects it Constitution: 2 Types of Constitution * Codified & Uncodified Codified Constitution * Constitution where the rules are written down in a single document. Example could be the USA...
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...* ortfolio * Help * FOUN1301 Law, Governance, Economy and Society | S3 15/16 Page path * Home / ► * Semester 3 15/16 / ► * FOUN1301 | S3 / ► * General / ► * Graded Discussion 2 ------------------------------------------------- Top of Form SearchSearch forums Bottom of Form Graded Discussion 2 Second graded discussion question: Graded Discussion 2: Opens June 13 closes June 17, 2016 @ 3:30 pm (EC Time) (15 marks). Question: Evaluate whether the Westminster model system of government adopted by English speaking Caribbean countries accommodates corruption Graded Discussion 2 by Sophia De La Rosa Williams - Wednesday, 15 June 2016, 9:05 AM Westminster system of Government can be defined as a democratic,parliamentary system of Government modelled after that of the United Kingdom system , as used in the Palace of Westminster (the Parliament of the United Kingdom).This system is a series of procedures for operating a legislature.It is used in most commonwealth nations.Corruption is the abuse of entrusted power for private gain. It can be classified as grand,petty and political,depending on the on the amount of money, lost and the sector where it occurs.According to Arnold Heidenheimer corruption is "perversion or destruction of integrity in the discharge of public duties by bribery or favour".I think it is safe to say that corruption and the Westminster system go hand in hand, the Westminster system has an inbuilt lack of checks and balances...
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...Parliament: Parliament: Parliament = the legislature. It is main way in which citizens are represented. It controls the power of the government, forcing it to be accountable. Above all, Parliament exists to grant formal consent to legislation even though it is dominated by the government. Features of a Parliamentary Government: * Parliament is the highest source of political authority – political power has to be authorised by Parliament * Government has to be drawn from Parliament * No strict separation of powers between legislative and executive – fusion of powers * Government must be accountable to Parliament Features of a Presidential Government: * Legislature and executive have separate sources of power – separately elected * President is not part of the legislature * The President (and therefore executive) is accountable directly to the people, not the legislature * Clear separation of powers between executive and legislature – there is therefore codified constitutional arrangements that separates those powers What is parliamentary sovereignty? * Parliament in the UK is legally sovereign * It is the source of all political power * It may restore to itself any powers that have been delegated to others * It may make any laws it wishes and they shall be enforced by the courts and any other authorities * It is not bound by its predecessors – laws passed by parliaments in the past are not binding on the current parliament...
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...Cabinet of Liberia The Cabinet of Liberia, together with the President and Vice President, form the executive branch of government in the country. The President, with the consent of the Senate, appoints cabinet ministers. The current government The following is a list of ministers currently serving in the administration of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf: who took office as president on 16 January 2006. Office | Minister | Minister of Foreign Affairs | Augustine K. Ngafuan | Minister of State for Presidential Affairs | Edward B. McClain, Jr. | Minister of Finance and Economic Planning | Amara M. Konneh | Minister of Justice and Attorney-General | Christiana Tah | Minister of National Defense | Brownie J. Samukai | Minister of Internal Affairs | Blamo Nelson | Minister of Education | Etmonia Tarpeh | Minister of Posts and Telecommunications | Frederick Norkeh | Minister of Public Works | Samuel Kofi Woods | Minister of Agriculture | Florence Chenoweth | Minister of Health and Social Welfare | Walter Gwenigale | Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism | Lewis Brown | Minister of Lands, Mines, and Energy | Patrick Sendolo | Minister of Commerce and Industry | Miata Beysolow | Minister of Gender and Development | Julia Duncan-Cassell | Minister of Labor | Vabah Gayflor | Minister of Youth and Sport | Tornolah Varpilah | Minister of Transport | Eugene Nagbe | Minister of State without Portfolio | Conmany B. Wesse | 1. The National Security - The National...
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...Policy Making and Policy Implementation Public policy refers to the actions taken by government — its decisions that are intended to solve problems and improve the quality of life for its citizens. At the federal level, public policies are enacted to regulate industry and business, to protect citizens at home and abroad, to aid state and city governments and people such as the poor through funding programs, and to encourage social goals. A policy established and carried out by the government goes through several stages from inception to conclusion. These are agenda building, formulation, adoption, implementation, evaluation, and termination. 1. Agenda building Before a policy can be created, a problem must exist that is called to the attention of the government. Illegal immigration, for example, has been going on for many years, but it was not until the 1990s that enough people considered it such a serious problem that it required increased government action. Another example is crime. American society tolerates a certain level of crime; however, when crime rises dramatically or is perceived to be rising dramatically, it becomes an issue for policymakers to address. Specific events can place a problem on the agenda. The flooding of a town near a river raises the question of whether homes should be allowed to be built in a floodplain. New legislation on combating terrorism (the USA Patriot Act, for example) was a response to the attacks...
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...Chapter 2 – The Executive The Prime Minister What do you know about the roles and powers of prime ministers? • In Austria & Germany (Dr. Angela Merkel): chancellor • Prime minister: not only the chief executive of the state [In Europe], but also the head of one of the legislative parties. (usually the largest) ( Great power [in particular in single-party majority governments as Greece (Kostas Karamanlis), Britain (Gordon Brown)] ( The lack of any separation between legislature and executive. • In EU-style, the person who can muster a legislative majority ( Head of the executive • In such countries, the threat to the Prime minister comes from the governing party. Elements of power of the Prime minister: (1) Approved by the legislature (i.e. Parliament) as the political head of the government. (Most important task of the legislature after an election has been held.) - If the incumbent prime minister can collect the parliamentary votes to remain on office: he or she has “won” the election even if his party had large losses. - The politicians campaigning in Parliamentary elections are typically party leaders. - Electing/Approving a new prime minister is the central duty of a newly elected parliament. [Citizens vote for the party] - If citizens want to change their chief executive in a parliamentary government system, they do so by voting in legislative elections. (2) The modest role of head of state. Premier political...
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