Why American government does not work
very well [2 criticisms]:
• politicians are corrupt, incompetent, or
otherwise unwilling to exercise leadership
• the system is designed to be inefficient and
ineffective
Major Differences Between the American
System and the Parliamentary Model
American
Parliamentary
[Separation of Powers]
chief executive
President
Prime Minister
• selection
• removal
• cabinet
separate election
impeachment
patronage
legislative majority
vote of confidence
“coalition government”
structural designation
federal
unitary
• relationship/authority
pattern
interdependence
hierarchy
sovereign power
Constitution
House of Commons
personalities
weak/competitive
proliferate
incremental
issues
strong/competitive
limited
dramatic change in
“critical elections”
Other important differences:
• orientation of elections
• parties
• interest groups
• policy-making style
British Parliamentary System
Prime Minister
and Cabinet
Cabinet
serves at
pleasure of
Prime
Minister
unless
House of
Commons
is dissolved
Majority
The
Monarchy
Judges (Life term)
House of Commons
[Five Year Terms
unless dissolved by
Prime Minister]
Party
Minority Party
Voters
House of Lords (Life
term/Little Power)
American System of Separation of Powers
Congress
House of
Representatives
[2-Year Terms]
Judges (Life term)
Senate
[6-Year
Terms]
Voters
Electoral College
President (4-year term)