American Politics and Society - Essay Example

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