Prime Minister & Cabinet: Case Studies

Pre-1997 Prime Ministers

The power of the prime minister and cabinet, and their relationship, changes depending on the prime minister at the time, as seen through studies into Margaret Thatcher and John Major.

Margaret Thatcher and cabinet

Thatcher had power for much of her time as PM when she had a large majority from the electorate and was popular among voters meaning she was a powerful PM with influence over the cabinet.
Thatcher targeted ministers she viewed as weak, calling them ‘wet’ and choosing to sack many ministers who opposed her.
- Francis Pym, the Foreign Secretary, was sacked in 1983.
A lack of support from cabinet colleagues weakened Thatcher’s power and brought an end to her time as prime minister.

Thatcher's policy control

Margaret Thatcher’s ministers were consulted far less on policy, with ministers not knowing about certain policies until they read about them in newspapers.
Thatcher had a strong influence over many government policies, such as the ‘poll tax’ and laws over industrial relations.
Thatcher chose to bypass the cabinet by using cabinet committees to discuss policies.

John Major and cabinet

John Major had less power and control over his cabinet as prime minister from 1990-1997.
His power was limited by a small party majority in Parliament after the 1992 general election.
The cabinet had more power under John Major because he ran the cabinet by seeking cabinet consensus when making important decisions.

Major's weaker policy control

John Major was seen as slow to make decisions as a leader and unable to make up his mind over key policy issues.
Cabinet ministers under John Major were able to have greater control over policy than under other prime ministers.

Post-1997 Prime Ministers

The power of the prime minister and cabinet, and their relationship, changes depending on the prime minister at the time, as seen through studies into Tony Blair and David Cameron.

Tony Blair and cabinet meetings

Tony Blair downgraded cabinet meetings, choosing to take part in smaller meetings with ministers outside of the cabinet and meetings with his special advisers.
Tony Blair reduced the length of meetings from two hours to 45 minutes.

Blair's policy control

Tony Blair made policy decisions on key issues without consulting his cabinet.
- Blair informed the cabinet over the decision to transfer exchange rates to the Bank of England.
Blair took personal control over departmental parliament affairs.
- Tony Blair took control over the Northern Ireland peace process.

Blair's personal leadership

Tony Blair aimed to create more focus on his personality and personal leadership than on cabinet.
Tony Blair focused heavily on using the media, particularly for strong communication as part of the campaign.
- Blair insisted that all contact with media by ministers was cleared with his office in advance.

David Cameron's coalition

David Cameron's coalition government saw more power for the cabinet, as Cameron had to seek Liberal Democrat agreement over key policies.
- David Cameron was prevented from introducing tougher policies on people cheating the welfare benefits system because he required consensus from the Liberal Democrats in his cabinet.
The 2010 cabinet after the general election included five Liberal Democrat MPs, including Vince Cable, Nick Clegg and Danny Alexander, who limited David Cameron’s power as PM.

1Democracy & Participation

1.1Representative & Direct Democracy

1.1.1Direct Democracy

1.1.2Pros & Cons of Direct Democracy

1.1.3Representative Democracy

1.1.4Pros & Cons of Representative Democracy

1.1.5Comparing Types of Democracy

1.1.6Case for Democratic Reform

1.1.7End of Topic Test - Types of Democracy

1.1.8Top Grade AO3/4 - Types of Democracy

1.2Wider Franchise & Suffrage

1.2.1History of the UK Franchise

1.2.2Campaigns for Suffrage

1.2.3End of Topic Test - Franchise & Suffrage

1.3Pressure Groups & Other Influences

1.3.1Types of Pressure Group

1.3.2Functions of Pressure Groups

1.3.3How Pressure Groups Influence

1.3.4Case-Study Examples

1.3.5Other Collective Orgs & Groups

1.3.6End of Topic Test - Pressure Groups & Influences

1.3.7Application Questions - Pressure Groups

1.4Rights in Context

1.4.1Development of Rights in the UK

1.4.2The UK's Rights-Based Culture

1.4.3End of Topic Test - Rights in Context

2Political Parties

2.1How Political Parties Work

2.1.1Functions & Features of UK Political Parties

2.1.2Funding of UK Political Parties

2.1.3UK Funding Reform

2.1.4End of Topic Test - Political Parties

2.1.5Top Grade AO3/4 - Political Parties

2.2Established Political Parties

2.2.1The Conservative Party: History

2.2.2The Conservative Party: Recent Leaders

2.2.3The Labour Party

2.2.4The Liberal Democrat Party

2.2.5Ideas & Policies of UK Parties

2.2.6End of Topic Test - Established Parties

2.2.7Application Questions - Established Parties

2.3Emerging & Minor Political Parties

2.3.1Minority Parties

2.3.2Minority Parties Case Studies

2.3.3End of Topic Test - Minor Parties

2.4UK Political Parties in Context

2.4.1Different Party Systems

2.4.2Political Spectrum

2.4.3Factors Affecting Party Success

2.4.4End of Topic Test - Parties in Context

2.4.5Application Questions - Parties in Context

3Electoral Systems

3.1Different Electoral Systems

3.1.1FPTP & STV

3.1.2AMS & SV

3.1.3End of Topic Test - Electoral Systems

3.1.4Top Grade AO3/4 - Electoral Systems

3.2Referendums & How They Are Used

3.2.1Case For & Against Referendums

3.2.2End of Topic Test - Referendums

3.2.3A-A* (AO3/4) - Referendums

3.3Electoral System Analysis

3.3.1Electoral System Analysis

3.3.2End of Topic Test - System Analysis

3.3.3A-A* (AO3/4) - Electoral System Analysis

4Voting Behaviour & the Media

4.1General Election Case Studies

4.1.1Case Studies of Elections

4.1.2Factors Influencing Voting in Elections

4.1.3End of Topic Test - Case Studies & Factors

4.1.4A-A* (AO3/4) - Case Studies & Voting

4.2Media Influence

4.2.1Media Influence

4.2.2End of Topic Test - Media Influence

5Conservatism

5.1Conservatism: Core Ideas & Principles

5.1.1Pragmatism & Tradition

5.1.2Human Imperfection & Organic Society/State

5.1.3Authority & Hierarchy

5.1.4Paternalism

5.1.5Empiricism

5.1.6Anti-Permissiveness

5.1.7Radical Conservative Ideas

5.1.8End of Topic Test - Core Conservatism

5.2Conservatism: Differing Views & Tensions

5.2.1Traditional Conservatism

5.2.2One-Nation Conservatism

5.2.3New Right Conservatism

5.2.4End of Topic Test - Different Views

5.3Conservative Thinkers & Ideas

5.3.1Thomas Hobbes & Edmund Burke

5.3.2Michael Oakeshott & Ayn Rand

5.3.3Robert Nozick

5.3.4End of Topic Test - Conservative Thinkers

5.3.5A-A* (AO3/4) - Conservatism

6Liberalism

6.1Liberalism: Core Ideas & Principles

6.1.1Individualism & Freedom/Liberty

6.1.2The State & Rationalism

6.1.3Equality & Social Justice

6.1.4Liberal Democracy

6.1.5Other Important Liberal Ideas

6.1.6End of Topic Test - Liberalism

6.2Differing Views And Tensions Within Liberalism

6.2.1Classical Liberalism

6.2.2Modern Liberalism

6.2.3End of Topic Test - Tensions & Views

6.3Liberal Thinkers & Ideas

6.3.1John Locke & Mary Wollstonecraft

6.3.2John Stuart Mill & John Rawls

6.3.3Betty Friedan

6.3.4End of Topic Test - Thinkers & Ideas

6.3.5A-A* - Liberalism

7Socialism

7.1Socialism: Core Ideas & Principles

7.1.1Fraternity & Co-operation

7.1.2Capitalism & Common Ownership

7.1.3Communism

7.1.4Collectivism

7.1.5Common Humanity

7.1.6Equality

7.1.7Social Class & Workers' Control

7.1.8End of Topic Test - Socialism

7.2Differing Views And Tensions Within Socialism

7.2.1Differing Views And Tensions

7.2.2End of Topic Test - Views & Tensions

7.3Socialist Thinkers and Their Ideas

7.3.1Socialist Thinkers: Marx & Engels

7.3.2Socialist Thinkers: Webb & Luxemburg

7.3.3Socialist Thinkers: Crosland and Giddens

7.3.4End of Topic Test - Thinkers & Ideas

7.3.5A-A* (AO3/4) - Socialism

8The UK Constitution

8.1Nature & Sources of UK Constitution

8.1.1Development of the UK Constitution

8.1.2Nature of the UK Constitution

8.1.3Sources of the UK Constitution

8.1.4End of Topic Test - Nature & Sources

8.2Constitutional Change since 1997

8.2.1Constitutional Reform 1997-2010 1

8.2.2Constitutional Reform 1997-2010 2

8.2.3Constitutional Reform 2010-15 & Reforms Since 2015

8.2.4End of Topic Test - Reform

8.2.5Application Questions - Reform

8.3Role & Powers of Devolved UK Bodies

8.3.1Devolution in England & Scotland

8.3.2Devolution in Wales & Northern Ireland

8.3.3End of Topic Test - Devolution

8.4Debates on Constitutional Reform

8.4.1Constitutional Reform & Devolution

8.4.2Should the Constitution Be Codified?

8.4.3End of Topic Test - Reform Debates

8.4.4Application Questions - Codification & Devolution

9The UK Parliament

9.1Houses of Parliament

9.1.1Houses of Parliament

9.1.2Functions of the House of Commons

9.1.3Functions of the House of Lords

9.1.4End of Topic Test - Parliament

9.1.5Top Grade AO3/4 - Parliament

9.2Comparative Powers

9.2.1Comparative Powers of the Houses

9.2.2End of Topic Test - Comparative Powers

9.3Legislative Process

9.3.1Legislative Stages

9.3.2Law-Making in the two Houses

9.3.3End of Topic Test - Legislative Process

9.4Parliament & Executive Interactions

9.4.1Backbenchers

9.4.2Select Committees

9.4.3The Opposition

9.4.4Ministerial Question Time

9.4.5End of Topic Test - Parliament & Executive

9.4.6Application Questions - Parliament & Executive

10The Prime Minister & the Executive

10.1The Executive

10.1.1Structure of the Executive

10.1.2Roles of the Executive

10.1.3Powers of the Executive

10.1.4End of Topic Test - PM & Executive

10.2Ministerial Responsibility

10.2.1Individual Ministerial Responsibility

10.2.2Collective Ministerial Responsibility

10.2.3End of Topic Test - Ministerial Responsibility

10.3Prime Minister & the Cabinet

10.3.1Role of the Prime Minister

10.3.2Prime Minister's Powers

10.3.3Limits on the Prime Minister's Powers

10.3.4Role of the Cabinet

10.3.5Prime Minister & Cabinet: Relations

10.3.6Prime Minister & Cabinet: Balance of Power

10.3.7Prime Minister & Cabinet: Case Studies

10.3.8End of Topic Test - PM & Cabinet

10.3.9Top Grade AO3/4 - PM & Cabinet

11Relationships Between Government Branches

11.1The Supreme Court

11.1.1Role & Composition

11.1.2Principles & Influence of the Supreme Court

11.1.3End of Topic Test - Supreme Court

11.2Parliament & Executive Relations

11.2.1Parliament & Executive: Questions

11.2.2Parliament & Executive: Committees

11.2.3Parliament & Executive: Voting

11.2.4Executive Dominance Over Parliament

11.2.5Balance of Power

11.2.6End of Topic Test - Parliament & Executive

11.2.7A-A* (AO3/4) - Relationships Between Government

11.3The European Union & the UK

11.3.1Aims & Policy Making of the European Union

11.3.2End of Topic Test - EU & UK

11.4Sovereignty in the UK Political System

11.4.1Sovereignty in the UK Political System

11.4.2End of Topic Test - Sovereignty

12US Constitution & Federalism

12.1Nature of the US Constitution

12.1.1Nature of the US Constitution

12.1.2Nature: Positives & Negatives

12.1.3Constitutional Framework

12.1.4The Amendment Process

12.1.5End of Topic Test - Nature US Constitution

12.2Principles of the US Constitution

12.2.1Federalism

12.2.2Separation of Powers/Checks & Balances

12.2.3Bipartisanship

12.2.4Limited Government

12.2.5End of Topic Test - Constitutional Principles

12.3Federalism

12.3.1Main Characteristics

12.3.2Federal Government and the States

12.3.3End of Topic Test - Federalism

12.4Interpretations & Debates

12.4.1Democracy in the Constitution

12.4.2Federalism

12.4.3End of Topic Test - Debates

12.4.4A-A* (AO3/4) - US Constitution

13US Congress

13.1Structure of Congress

13.1.1Structure of Congress

13.1.2Distribution of Powers

13.1.3End of Topic Test - Congress Structure

13.2Functions of Congress

13.2.1Representation

13.2.2Legislative

13.2.3Oversight

13.2.4End of Topic Test - Functions of Congress

13.3Interpretations & Debates

13.3.1Changing Roles & Powers

13.3.2Changing Significance of Parties & of Powers

13.3.3End of Topic Test - Debates

13.3.4Application Questions - US Congress

14US Presidency

14.1Presidential Power

14.1.1Formal Sources of Presidential Power

14.1.2Informal Sources of Presidential Power

14.1.3Powers of Persuasion

14.1.4End of Topic Test - Presidential Power

14.2The Presidency

14.2.1President Relationship with Other Institutions

14.2.2Limitations on Presidential Power

14.2.3US Presidents Achieving Their Aims

14.2.4End of Topic Test - Presidency

14.3Interpretations & Debates of the US Presidency

14.3.1The Imperial Presidency

14.3.2The President in Foreign Policy

14.3.3End of Topic Test - Debates

14.3.4A-A* (AO3/4) - US Presidency

15US Supreme Court & Civil Rights

15.1Nature & Role of Supreme Court

15.1.1Nature & Role of the Supreme Court

15.1.2End of Topic Test - Nature & Role

15.2Supreme Court Appointment Process

15.2.1Appointment Process

15.2.2Supreme Court Membership

15.2.3End of Topic Test - Appointments

15.3The Supreme Court & Public Policy

15.3.1Supreme Court & Public Policy

15.3.2End of Topic Test - Public Policy

15.4Protection of Civil Liberties & Rights

15.4.1Protection of Civil Liberties & Rights

15.4.2Race & Rights in Contemporary US Politics

15.4.3End of Topic Test - Rights & Liberties

15.5Debates & Interpretations of the Supreme Court

15.5.1Political Nature of the Supreme Court

15.5.2Judicial Interpretation

15.5.3Supreme Court Checks & Balances

15.5.4End of Topic Test - Debates

15.5.5Application Questions - The Supreme Court

16US Democracy & Participation

16.1Presidential Elections

16.1.1Presidential Elections

16.1.2Primaries

16.1.3National Party Conventions

16.1.4End of Topic Test - Presidential Elections

16.2Electoral College

16.2.1Electoral College System

16.2.2Reforms

16.2.3End of Topic Test - Electoral College

16.3Electoral Campaigns

16.3.1Issues in Elections

16.3.2End of Topic Test - Campaigns

16.4Incumbency

16.4.1Elections & Incumbency

16.4.2End of Topic Test - Incumbency

16.4.3A-A* (AO3/4) - Elections & Electoral College

16.5Democrats & Republicans

16.5.1National & State Level Organisation

16.5.2Democratic & Republican Policies

16.5.3Changing Party Significance

16.5.4End of Topic Test - Democrats & Republicans

16.6Internal Conflict & Ideology

16.6.1Types of Democrats

16.6.2Types of Republicans

16.6.3End of Topic Test - Internal Conflict

16.7Support & Demographics

16.7.1Coalition of Supporters

16.7.2End of Topic Test - Party Support

16.8Interest Groups

16.8.1Political Significance of Interest Groups

16.8.2Interest Group Influence & Impact on Democracy

16.8.3End of Topic Test - Interest Groups

16.8.4Application Questions - Parties, Ideology & Groups

17Comparing Democracies

17.1Theoretical Approaches

17.1.1Theoretical Approaches

17.1.2End of Topic Test - Approaches

17.2UK & USA Similarities & Differences

17.2.1Constitution: Nature

17.2.2Constitution: Provisions & Principles

17.2.3Federal System & Devolution

17.2.4Legislative: Lower Houses of Government

17.2.5Legislative: Upper Houses of Government

17.2.6Legislative: Powers & Functions

17.2.7Executive

17.2.8Supreme Court

17.2.9Supreme Court: Judicial Independence

17.2.10Civil Rights

17.2.11Civil Rights: Interest Groups

17.2.12Party Systems & Parties

17.2.13Campaign Finance & Pressure Groups

17.2.14End of Topic Test - Comparing UK & US

17.2.15Application Questions - UK & USA

18Feminism

18.1Feminism: Core Ideas & Principles

18.1.1Context of Feminism

18.1.2Sex & Gender

18.1.3Patriarchy & The Personal is the Political

18.1.4Difference, Egalitarian & Intersectionality

18.1.5Key Themes

18.1.6End of Topic Test - Core Ideas & Principles

18.2Different Types of Feminism

18.2.1The Waves of Feminism

18.2.2Socialist & Radical Feminism

18.2.3Post-Modern Feminism

18.2.4End of Topic Test - Different Types of Feminism

18.3Feminist Thinkers & Their Ideas

18.3.1Charlotte Gilman & Simone de Beauvoir

18.3.2Kate Millett

18.3.3Sheila Rowbotham & bell hooks

18.3.4End of Topic Test - Feminist Thinkers & Ideas

18.3.5A-A* (AO3/4) - Feminism

19Nationalism

19.1Nationalism: Core Ideas & Principles

19.1.1Nations & Self-Determination

19.1.2Nation-States & Culturalism

19.1.3Racialism & Internationalism

19.1.4Civic & Ethnic Nationalism

19.1.5Liberal & Socialist Internationalism

19.1.6Key Themes

19.1.7End of Topic Test - Core Ideas & Principles

19.2Different Types of Nationalism

19.2.1Liberal & Conservative Nationalism

19.2.2Post-Colonial & Expansionist Nationalism

19.2.3Progressive & Regressive Nationalism

19.2.4Inclusive & Exclusive Nationalism

19.2.5End of Topic Test -Different Types of Nationalism

19.3Nationalist Thinkers & Their Ideas

19.3.1Jean-Jacques Rousseau & Gottfried von Herder

19.3.2Giuseppe Mazzini & Charles Maurras

19.3.3Marcus Garvey

19.3.4End of Topic Test - Nationalist Thinkers & Ideas

19.3.5A-A* (AO3/4) - Nationalism

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