prime ministerial dominance
TRANSCRIPT
Prime Ministerial Dominance
Learning Objectives
• To define the concept of prime ministerial dominance
• To identify the basis of the presidential thesis and to start to formulate own argument based on the presidential thesis
• To evaluate the extent of prime ministerial dominance in the UK
Dictionary Corner
• Prime minister is the most powerful actor within the UK political system and dominates (controls) the system of government.
• The PM may be described as presidential.• The PM is more powerful than the cabinet when
their influence is compared.
Write your own definition…
Prime Ministerial Dominance
Does the Prime Minister dominate and control the Executive?
Why can the PM be considered dominant?• The prime minister
generally dominates the cabinet; the prime minister chooses who will serve in cabinet and the positions they will hold.
• The prime minister has the ability to dismiss members of cabinet and to redistribute responsibilities.
• The prime minister controls the cabinet's agenda.
EXAMPLE:
Former British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan once
postponed a cabinet attempt to suggest he
step down, by stating that such a matter was not on
the agenda for that cabinet meeting and
would have to be dealt with later.
Why can the PM be considered dominant?• The prime minister's arsenal
of power includes a degree of control over the flow of information available to cabinet ministers and the right to determine the order in which cabinet ministers will speak.
• The prime minister is also accorded the right to sum up cabinet discussions, and in effect, to declare what was decided.
EXAMPLE:Tony Blair did not disclose all intelligence briefings to the cabinet regarding the Iraq War, supposedly as he was worried about leaking to the press.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/8288553/Tony-Blair-sidelined-Cabinet-over-Iraq-because-he-couldnt-trust-ministers-not-to-leak.html
Theories of Executive PowerWhat are the theories?
Explain the theories.Give an example of each theory.
Prime Ministerial dominance overlaps with these theories both as the measure of the extent of
dominance and equally prime ministerial government.
The Presidential ThesisIs the Prime Minister becoming too
‘presidential’? (40 marks)
READ Zig Zag p69-70, and the Blair presidential hand-outs on the VLE.
Some argue that the prime minister has become so dominant within the UK political system that in fact, the
prime minister is becoming more ‘presidential’.
From what you already know about the different theories of executive power, do you agree with this statement? Why?
Comparing Prime Ministers and Presidents
Prime Minister PresidentHead of government Head of government and head of
stateElected via parliamentary elections
Separately elected
Control of legislature Independent legislature
Collective cabinet ‘Sounding board’ cabinet
No department** Personal department
Is the Prime Minister becoming too ‘presidential’?
Ways in which the PM is becoming more/too ‘presidential’
Counter Argument
Is the Prime Minister
becoming too ‘presidential’
? (40 marks)
Key Question
COMPLETELYDISAGREE
COMPLETELYAGREE
LARGE EXTENT DISAGREE
LARGE EXTENT AGREE
SMALL EXTENT AGREE
SMALL EXTENT DISAGREE
Key QuestionWrite your name on a post it and put it
on the presidential thermometer – prepare to justify your decision!
ESSAY DECODING• Read the sample essay “To what extent does the Prime
Minister dominate the UK political system?”• Read the indicative content the examiner would use.• Using the mark scheme, award marks for AO1 Knowledge
and Understanding and AO2 Intellectual Skills.• Decode the essay using the decoder.• Using the mark scheme and the decoding, award marks
for AO3 Communication and Coherence.
Approximate Equivalent Grade
A B C D E U
28 25 22 19 16 13
ESSAY DECODINGIntroduction Annotate introduction, context and overall argumentParagraphs Label paragraphsTopic Sentences Highlight in yellow topic sentences (i.e. sentences that clearly
start a new topic/theme/argument, usually at the beginning of paragraphs)
Explanatory Connectives
Highlight in yellow explanatory connectives (e.g. because, therefore, as a result, consequently)
Linking Connectives
Highlight in pink linking connectives (e.g. furthermore, in addition, however)
Contemporary Examples
Underling in red the use of contemporary examples to illustrate an argument or point
Linking back sentences
Highlight in green linking back sentences (i.e. sentences that refer back to the question, usually at the end of paragraphs)
Political vocabulary
Underline in blue any specific political vocabulary
Conclusion Annotate conclusion, evaluation and overall judgement
ESSAY DECODINGEvidence that the prime minister does
dominate the system can include :
• As the cabinet has declined, so has the power of the P.M. increased. Note less cabinet meetings and shorter duration.
• Evidence of recent dominant prime ministers – Thatcher, Blair (Brown not at first, but then took over single handed management of the financial and economic crisis after 2007).
• Growth of the Number 10 ‘machine’. • Tendency of media to see the P.M. as
spokesperson for the whole gov• Weakness of parliament and ability of P.M.
to force through his legislation • Dominance of the P.M. in increasingly
important international affairs – note attendance at many world meetings etc. and importance of foreign policy since the 1980s. This enhances the P.M’s authority.
Counter arguments to this analysis might include :
• Prime Ministers are only as powerful as circumstances allow them to be – note Major and the early Brown or late Blair. Size of parliamentary majority, economic and political context, media attitudes, strength of Opposition.
• Dominance may also depend on the personality of the P.M. (Major).
• Parliament has become increasingly active – note its obstruction of terrorist suspect detention without trial, super-casinos etc.
• Note the argument that this is about ‘style’ and not substance.
• P.M. can still be overruled by Cabinet and cannot force policies through powerful, reluctant colleagues.
ESSAY DECODINGAO1 Knowledge and Understanding
Level 1 (0-6 marks)
Poor knowledge and understanding of relevant institutions, processes, political concepts, theories or debates.
Level 2(7-13 marks)
Satisfactory knowledge and understanding of relevant institutions, processes, political concepts, theories or debates.
Level 3(14-20 marks)
Full and developed knowledge and understanding of relevant institutions, processes, political concepts, theories or debates.
AO2 Intellectual SkillsLevel 1(0-3 marks)
Limited ability to analyse and evaluate political information, arguments and explanations, and identify parallels, connections, similarities and differences.
Level 2(4-7 marks)
Sound ability to analyse and evaluate political information, arguments and explanations, and identify parallels, connections, similarities and differences.
Level 3(8-12 marks)
Good or better ability to analyse and evaluate political information, arguments and explanations, and identify parallels, connections, similarities and differences.
AO3 Communication and CoherenceLevel 1 (0-2 marks)
Weak ability to construct and communicate coherent arguments, making good use of appropriate vocabulary
Level 2(3-5 marks)
Adequate ability to construct and communicate coherent arguments, making good use of appropriate vocabulary
Level 3(6-8 marks)
Sophisticated ability to construct and communicate coherent arguments, making good use of appropriate vocabulary.
Homework