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Our Study of the British Case

Our Study of the British Case. So far: themes of economic & political development Implications—labor’s support for welfare and “collectivist consensus” Now some other classic comparative politics topics Parliamentary vs. presidential system Electoral system design In context

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Our Study of the British Case

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  1. Our Study of the British Case • So far: themes of economic & political development • Implications—labor’s support for welfare and “collectivist consensus” • Now some other classic comparative politics topics • Parliamentary vs. presidential system • Electoral system design • In context • Parliamentary system • Ex: Thatcher’s effort to dismantle welfare state • Electoral system • Ex: Fate of Labour and Liberal Democratic parties

  2. Parliamentary vs. Presidential Systems Contrast US Britain 2

  3. Parliamentary vs. Presidential Systems Contrast US and British systems US presidential system “Checks and balances,” “Veto points” President and Congress check each other British parliamentary system Executive and Legislative fused Prime Minister as leader of majority party in Parliament Can strategically call elections any time within 5-year terms Parliamentary legislative process Legislation more likely to be enacted Legislation more coherent Greater party discipline “No confidence” votes

  4. Example of Policy-making in Parliamentary System: The Thatcher Revolution” • Margaret Thatcher • Conservative Party leader 1975 • Elected prime minister 1979 • Conservatives won new election after Labour (Callahan) lost “no confidence vote”

  5. Example of Policy-making in Parliamentary System: The Thatcher Revolution” • Reduce state role in economy • Informed by ideas of neo-liberalism • Privatize • Sell off profitable state industries • British Airways • British Telecomm • Public housing 5

  6. Example of Policy-making in Parliamentary System: The Thatcher Revolution” • Privatize • Public housing 1980 1990 As % of total gov spending 7.3 2.9 As % of GDP 2.7 0.9 6

  7. Example of Policy-making in Parliamentary System: The Thatcher Revolution” • How did she do it? • Parliamentary institutions • PM and dominant Parliamentary party—same party by design • Contributed to force and coherence of Conservative Party’s “Thatcher Revolution” • Strategically called elections when most popular (after successful Falklands War) • Facilitated long stay in power (1979-1990)

  8. Contrast Policy-making in Presidential System: Ronald Reagan • Pres. Reagan was similarly guided by neo-liberal ideas and sought to reduce role of government in economy • Reagan—a Republican—had to work with • Democrat-controlled House • 8 out of 8 years in office • Democrat-controlled Senate • 2 out of 8 years in office • Legislation important to Reagan had to have bi-partisan support to pass • Pres. Reagan (1981-89) faced two-term maximum with fixed dates for elections 8

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