StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

American Politics and Society - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
The author of this essay "American Politics and Society" compares the deads of an American president and the prime minister of the United Kingdom. Reportedly, powerful as they are there are some differences between the positions held by these two leaders…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER97.2% of users find it useful
American Politics and Society
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "American Politics and Society"

The powers invested in the American presidency and the prime minister of the United Kingdom allow for them to make important decisions affecting their respective domestic affairs as well as the global society. Powerful as they are there are some differences between the positions held by these two leaders. One of the fundamental differences between the powers of the two leaders lies in the constitutions of both countries. The constitution of the United States of America mandates a separation of power. This allows for power to be less concentrated in the presidency. Instead there is a systematic split between the executive, legislative and the judiciary preventing one branch from dominating the other. The constitution of the United Kingdom treats power differently. There is no separation of the different branches so the British Prime Minister theoretically has all that power invested in his office. There are many policies that the President cannot make possible all by himself. The different executive departments and agencies are managed and directed by persons who may not necessarily share the same objectives as the President. Furthermore if he needs to make any changes it will first have to pass through congress. The President has limited control over legislative acts as well. There are several steps that needed to be done before a policy can be implemented that are under the jurisdiction of persons beyond the control of the President. The President even has limited control over such important agencies such as the Federal Reserve. The British Prime Minister on the other hand, holds the most important position in parliament as he makes many of the political decision in his country. He is responsible for appointing his cabinet. He also has the power to make the final decision on major issues. On becoming President the previous role of senator, governor or political representative held before assuming presidential role has to be relinquished. The President, therefore, while being head of the executive does not have the responsibility of representing any individual state or region. This is different with the Prime Minister. He is also a member of parliament and he therefore has the responsibility and duties of caring for a constituency like any other ordinary member of parliament. The party system within the United States of America is not as strong nor does it have the traditional pomp and power like what is associated with political parties in the United Kingdom. While the President automatically becomes the party leader he does not necessarily have members of his party in his cabinet. It is different with the Prime Minister who his responsible for appointing party members to his cabinet. Normally, the cabinet only comprises party members and affiliates. This strong political support helps in the passing of bills through parliament as it is rare for members of the cabinet to hinder any policies that the Prime Minister wishes to enact into law. The Prime Minister also has the power to dismiss cabinet members if he feels they are performing poorly. This power that he has is one of the major differences with that of the American President who have little control over such matters. The President is sometimes referred to as negotiator-in-chief as he has to spend most of his time negotiating with congress to get his policies accepted. The President of the United States is also the ceremonially head of state. He is responsible for the type of relations the United States has with foreign nations. As the head of state he has the power of deciding whether to recognize new nations as well as new governments. He signs treaties with other nations as well as appointing ambassadors and consuls. The British Prime Minister is not the head of state of Britain. As the monarch is still entrenched in the British system the queen is the ceremoniously head of state. Although it is considered a constitutional monarchy, some responsibility is reserved for the queen such as appointment of ambassadors and consuls. Perhaps the most powerful role of the President is that of commander-in-chief of the United States of America. According to McKay (2009) ‘commander-in-chief has often meant control over several men and women under arms and literally the power of life and death over mankind’. With such a role he assumes the responsibility of head of the army and navy of the country as well as of the militia of the various states. He holds the final decision strategies regarding military combat with other nations or groups. He uses his discretion to command troops, to assign duties wherever he sees fits. His decisions that he makes as commander-in-chief are constitutionally not being able to be restricted by the court. In the United Kingdom the queen also serve as head of the armed forces. Unlike the power invested in the American President where he can declare war on a country the Prime of the United Kingdom is limited in this area. Under the constitution of the United Kingdom the queen is the only person who can declare war although she first has to be advised by the government. Generally the Prime Minister holds more power over the domestic affairs of the country. This is done through the authority he holds in manipulating the members of the cabinet thus allowing him the ability to make legislative changes. Although the President has the power of veto his power is more evident in foreign affairs as he is head of state and has the power to wield over less powerful nations. Although both leaders are limited to some extent the differences are significant when examining the type of powers. Why might the choice of cabinet members be different in the UK from the USA? The choice of cabinet members may be different in the UK from the USA because of the political system. The Westminster system used in the United Kingdom is different. The cabinet is appointed by the Prime Minister who usually appoints members from his own political party. The parliament in the United Kingdom comprises of members from the governing party as well as members of the opposition. After the general elections the winning party forms the government so the cabinet members are known to the Prime Minister and he will ensure that these members will support him in his decisions. In the United States of America it is possible for only the President and Vice President to be from the same political party. The cabinet appointed by the President may be composed of persons he feels may support his policies but not necessarily from his own party. The system of separation of powers prevents a cabinet member from holding office in any other branch of government. Cabinet members do not necessarily have to be politicians as persons such as businessmen or former military officials can become eligible. Why might presidential nominees to the Supreme Court be controversial? The President only holds the power to nominate someone to the Supreme Court but the admission of that judge and his success to that position rests with the decision of the Senate Judiciary Committee as well as the full senate. Before the committee makes their decision an investigation on the background of the nominee is first carried out by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The nominee is expected to complete a questionnaire prepared by the committee. After being questioned by the committee to determine the nominee’s political philosophy, ideologies or opinions on current issues, a vote is done on whether to send the vote to the full senate. ‘The nominee has the potential to shift the ideological complexion of the court’ (198). A recommendation is sent to the senate either proposing or opposing the nomination of the judge. This can also become controversial if pressure groups oppose a particular nominee. These groups can issue press releases or carry out other activities that may put pressure on the senators to further examine their concerns. If the senate rejects the nominee the President can elect a new one or he can elect the same nominee for additional review. McKay, D., (2009). American Politics and Society. West Sussex: Blackwell Publishers. Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“American Politics and Society Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words”, n.d.)
Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/politics/1566236-examine-the-differences-between-the-powers-of-the-the-us-president-and-the-uk-prime-minister
(American Politics and Society Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 Words)
https://studentshare.org/politics/1566236-examine-the-differences-between-the-powers-of-the-the-us-president-and-the-uk-prime-minister.
“American Politics and Society Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/politics/1566236-examine-the-differences-between-the-powers-of-the-the-us-president-and-the-uk-prime-minister.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF American Politics and Society

Abraham Lincoln

The article “The True Lincoln” which appeared in Time on June 26, 2005… This article generally outlines the overall charisma and character of Lincoln which has dominated American Politics and Society since his Abraham Lincoln was 16th President of US and is considered as one of the greatest Presidents in the history of country because he led the nation through military, constitutional as well as moral crisis.... This article generally outlines the overall charisma and character of Lincoln which has dominated American Politics and Society since his death....
2 Pages (500 words) Research Paper

Small vs. Big Government: The Advantages and Disadvantages of Both

With the introductory transition nd comparison of small and big government, the purpose of this paper is to explore their advantages and disadvantages in relation to the different parts of the political system: the constitution, public policy, political ideologies, political parties, and american institutions.... With this, one can assume that the constitution is great in a way that it could emphasize how an american congress is organized to promote justice and fairness for the poor and wealthy citizens....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

MHE505 Module 3 SLP Assignment: Tactical/Capability Assessment of Terrorists

?Latin American Politics and Society, 48(2), 95-IV.... Given the high stakes involved in the anti-FARC war, there is need for the global society to collaborate with the Colombian government forces to avert FARC's potential threat to global peace and security.... The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) was initially created in 1964, as military wing of the Colombian Communist Party; “the FARC grew from a movement of only about 500 people to a small army of 3,000”(Molano 2000, p....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

The War On Drug Dealing

Latin American Politics and Society 51 (2): 117– 145.... Drugs, society, and human behavior (9th ed).... Joint Information Service of the american Psychiatric Association and the National Association for Mental Health.... It has never been easy devising particular ways of successfully freeing the world of the drug menace....
2 Pages (500 words) Assignment

Pluralist and Class domination with 2012 American presidential election

American Politics and Society.... His income in… he four years leading up to the 2012 elections shows that he belongs to the upper class of the American society because his income before the elections.... His income in the four years leading up to the 2012 elections shows that he belongs to the upper class of the American society because his income before the elections.... The first is that President Obama, an upper class american, was mainly sponsored by upper class Americans in his reelection....
2 Pages (500 words) Assignment

The Teapot Dome Scandal

nbsp;   … Teapot Dome scandal, the Scopes Monkey Trial, the Prohibition, the Five-Power Naval Treaty, and Sacco-Vanzetti Trial affected the American Politics and Society in various ways.... The author examines the Teapot Dome scandal and concludes that the scandals, treaty, trial, and acts of the 1920s had influenced the politics and society in different ways.... The Sacco-Vanzetti trial indicated that the left wing politics supported the radical politics and communism....
1 Pages (250 words) Essay

History and Future of HIV in Latin America

The Latin american countries are trying their best to implement the WHO's 2013 Treatment Guidelines due to lack of enough funds and poor treatment planning.... However, based on the 2011 statistics, 83,000 new cases of the disease were reported, which was a decline relative to the previous years....
4 Pages (1000 words) Research Paper

The Nature of the Party System in the United States

merican politics is dominated by the Republicans and the Democrats.... It is important to explain that the tea party does not dominate the american political system, and this is because its candidates have never won any american major political seat, such as the Presidency, or even a Governors position (Janiskee & Masugi, 2007).... he dominance of the Republicans and the Democrats in the american political system has existed for more than 100 years, where the Presidents are either elected from the Republican party, or from the Democrat Party....
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us