UK-USA Flashcards

1
Q

Constitutions compared-similarities (4)

A
  • both can be amended formal/informal
  • to an extent both judiciable (HR)
  • consist of written documents
  • allow explicit protection rights both infringed upon by national security
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2
Q

constitutions different (4)

A
  • US codified, UK uncodified
  • US entrenched(article V), UK not
  • US constitution sovereign with states/ federal gov, UK parliament is
  • US rights more protected
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3
Q

UK parliament (4)- US congress(4)

A
UK
-declare war
-pass legislation (party manifesto)
-scrutinise gov
-vote no confidence remove
US
-declare war
-pass legislation (P's electoral platform)
-scrutinise exec
-impeach
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4
Q

House of commons strengths/weaknesses

3 each

A
STREGNTHS 
-more powerful chamber
-strong backbench power
-strong constituency links 
WEAKNESSES
-strong party whip
-executive dominance
-gov majorities in committees
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5
Q

House of lords strengths/weaknesses 3 each

A
STRENGTHS
-more time to debate
-reduces party discipline
-inc willing to challenge 
WEAKNESSES
-unelected, hereditary
-Salisbury convention
-size
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6
Q

House of representatives strengths/weaknesses 3 each

A
STRENGTHS
-strong constituency links
-represented by population
-effective control by majority
WEAKNESSES
-short election cycle
-power of speaker, minority ignored
-shared legislative power
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7
Q

Senate strengths/weaknesses 4 then 3

A
STRENGTHS
-unanimous consent
-power of filibuster
-6 year term continuity
-represent state interests 
WEAKNESSES 
-shared legislative power
-unanimous consent gridlock
-overrepresent small under big
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8
Q

Role/powers of PM (7)

A
  • head of gov
  • party mandate, majority
  • sovereign leader of majority
  • collective executive with cabinet
  • commander-in-chief, royal prerogative
  • legislative agenda, queens speech
  • no need to veto has majority
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9
Q

role/powers of president (7)

A
  • head of state/ head of gov
  • personal mandate, direct election 2 terms
  • reality is sovereign with constitution
  • singular exec appoints cabinet/EXOP
  • commander-in-chief
  • state union address
  • gets to veto
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10
Q

similarities between supreme courts (5)

A
  • independence of buildings and personnel
  • rigorous appointment process
  • tenure
  • face pressure from elected branch/groups
  • willing to rule against gov
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11
Q

differences between supreme courts (3)

A
  • US justices salaries protected in constitution, UK set by ministry of justice
  • US selects through elected political branches, UK (JAC)
  • USA can overrule elected branches questioning independence, UK cannot
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12
Q

effectiveness of rights protection

UK-USA (good) 3 each

A
UK 
-human rights act codified
-can appeal beyond supreme to ECHR
-parliament unlikely to ignore 'moral'
USA
-constitution 'quasi-sovereignty'
-rulings difficult to change
-unlikely to be ignored
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13
Q

ineffectiveness of rights protection

UK-USA (bad) 3 then 4

A
UK 
-parliament remains sovereign
-ECHR been ignored in UK (prisoners rights)
-role of supreme court less understood
USA
-rulings ignored, Guantanamo bay
-hear few cases
-have no right to have case heard
-judges ideologically motivated
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14
Q

UK-USA electoral systems similarities (5)

A
  • operate nationally 2-party systems
  • FPTP not majority popular vote
  • executives placed-indirect elections
  • incumbent re-election rate high
  • 3rd party policies ‘stolen’
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15
Q

UK-USA electoral systems differences (4)

A
  • UK directly elect MP’s, US vote both congress/president
  • devolved/local elections involve third parties, US limited all levels
  • finance greater influence in US
  • use diff electoral systems in the UK
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16
Q

interest groups UK-USA powers
similarities (2)

differences (2)

A
  • access through lobbying
  • free media use as advertising
  • court cases used more by US from groups
  • size of US mass protests more complex
17
Q

interest groups UK-USA influence

similarities/ differences 3 each

A
  • give evidence to committees (legislative)
  • use courts to exert influence
  • more influence with support/money
  • US more supreme court
  • judicial rulings can be ignored
  • more access points in US more chance