17.2.4

Legislative: Lower Houses of Government

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Lower Houses of Government

The lower chambers of the legislative branch are the UK House of Commons and the US House of Representatives.

Strengths of the House of Representatives 1

Strengths of the House of Representatives 1

  • The House of Representatives initiates all money bills.
  • Elections every two years to the House means that members are likely to represent their constituents well.
Strengths of the House of Representatives 2

Strengths of the House of Representatives 2

  • Standing committees in the House of Representatives have significant power.
    • Committees can decide which bills they will hear and can add amendments to bills.
    • Committees have the voting power to stop a bill passing through the legislative process by voting against it.
    • Bills can die at the committee stage if they don’t get reported out of committee.
Strengths of the House of Commons 1

Strengths of the House of Commons 1

  • House of Commons backbenchers can remove the government through a vote of no confidence.
  • The House of Commons has a large role in lawmaking.
    • The Commons has final approval over amendments to bills and can reject legislation by voting against it.
    • The Commons can reject or amend the government’s budget.
Strengths of the House of Commons 2

Strengths of the House of Commons 2

  • Select committees have the power to call any government member to answer questions about the government’s work.
  • The House of Commons can scrutinise the prime minister weekly and hold them to account at Prime Minister’s Question Time.

Lower Houses: Weaknesses

The lower chambers of the legislative branch are the UK House of Commons and the US House of Representatives.

Weaknesses of the House of Representatives 1

Weaknesses of the House of Representatives 1

  • Direct scrutiny of the executive can only take place through standing committees.
    • The president rarely sits before a committee to give evidence.
Weaknesses of the House of Representatives 1

Weaknesses of the House of Representatives 1

  • The legislative power of the House is limited because it has equal law-making powers to the Senate.
    • Legislation often fails to pass into law because the House and Senate must both agree to, and vote on, final legislation.
    • Increased partisanship has led to Gridlock, where legislation fails to pass because the Senate, House and presidency are controlled by different parties.
    • Few bills were passed into law under President Obama where there was a divided government for six of his eight years as president.
Weaknesses of the House of Commons 1

Weaknesses of the House of Commons 1

  • The government has too much control over the legislative process.
    • The government uses party whips to make sure MPs follow the party line when voting on bills.
    • Whips are also present in Congress.
    • Private members’ bills, which are introduced by backbenchers, often fail to become law.
Weaknesses of the House of Commons 2

Weaknesses of the House of Commons 2

  • Scrutiny of the government is not always effective.
    • Prime Minister’s Question Time is labelled ‘Punch and Judy’ politics because it is a shouting match between politicians rather than a means to hold the government to account.
    • MPs ask planted questions at Prime Minister’s Question Time to make the government appear strong in front of the public.
Jump to other topics
1

Democracy & Participation

1.1

Representative & Direct Democracy

1.1.1Direct Democracy1.1.2Pros & Cons of Direct Democracy1.1.3Representative Democracy1.1.4Pros & Cons of Representative Democracy1.1.5Comparing Types of Democracy1.1.6Case for Democratic Reform1.1.7End of Topic Test - Types of Democracy1.1.8Top Grade AO3/4 - Types of Democracy
1.2

Wider Franchise & Suffrage

1.2.1History of the UK Franchise1.2.2Campaigns for Suffrage1.2.3End of Topic Test - Franchise & Suffrage
1.3

Pressure Groups & Other Influences

1.3.1Types of Pressure Group1.3.2Functions of Pressure Groups1.3.3How Pressure Groups Influence1.3.4Case-Study Examples1.3.5Other Collective Orgs & Groups1.3.6End of Topic Test - Pressure Groups & Influences1.3.7Application Questions - Pressure Groups
1.4

Rights in Context

1.4.1Development of Rights in the UK1.4.2The UK's Rights-Based Culture1.4.3End of Topic Test - Rights in Context
2

Political Parties

2.1

How Political Parties Work

2.1.1Functions & Features of UK Political Parties2.1.2Funding of UK Political Parties2.1.3UK Funding Reform2.1.4End of Topic Test - Political Parties2.1.5Top Grade AO3/4 - Political Parties
2.2

Established Political Parties

2.2.1The Conservative Party: History2.2.2The Conservative Party: Recent Leaders2.2.3The Labour Party2.2.4The Liberal Democrat Party2.2.5Ideas & Policies of UK Parties2.2.6End of Topic Test - Established Parties2.2.7Application Questions - Established Parties
2.3

Emerging & Minor Political Parties

2.3.1Minority Parties2.3.2Minority Parties Case Studies2.3.3End of Topic Test - Minor Parties
2.4

UK Political Parties in Context

2.4.1Different Party Systems2.4.2Political Spectrum2.4.3Factors Affecting Party Success2.4.4End of Topic Test - Parties in Context2.4.5Application Questions - Parties in Context
3

Electoral Systems

3.1

Different Electoral Systems

3.1.1FPTP & STV3.1.2AMS & SV3.1.3End of Topic Test - Electoral Systems3.1.4Top Grade AO3/4 - Electoral Systems
3.2

Referendums & How They Are Used

3.2.1Case For & Against Referendums3.2.2End of Topic Test - Referendums3.2.3A-A* (AO3/4) - Referendums
3.3

Electoral System Analysis

3.3.1Electoral System Analysis3.3.2End of Topic Test - System Analysis3.3.3A-A* (AO3/4) - Electoral System Analysis
4

Voting Behaviour & the Media

4.1

General Election Case Studies

4.1.1Case Studies of Elections4.1.2Factors Influencing Voting in Elections4.1.3End of Topic Test - Case Studies & Factors4.1.4A-A* (AO3/4) - Case Studies & Voting
4.2

Media Influence

4.2.1Media Influence4.2.2End of Topic Test - Media Influence
5

Conservatism

5.1

Conservatism: Core Ideas & Principles

5.1.1Pragmatism & Tradition5.1.2Human Imperfection & Organic Society/State5.1.3Authority & Hierarchy5.1.4Paternalism5.1.5Empiricism5.1.6Anti-Permissiveness5.1.7Radical Conservative Ideas5.1.8End of Topic Test - Core Conservatism
5.2

Conservatism: Differing Views & Tensions

5.2.1Traditional Conservatism5.2.2One-Nation Conservatism5.2.3New Right Conservatism5.2.4End of Topic Test - Different Views
5.3

Conservative Thinkers & Ideas

5.3.1Thomas Hobbes & Edmund Burke5.3.2Michael Oakeshott & Ayn Rand5.3.3Robert Nozick5.3.4End of Topic Test - Conservative Thinkers5.3.5A-A* (AO3/4) - Conservatism
6

Liberalism

6.1

Liberalism: Core Ideas & Principles

6.1.1Individualism & Freedom/Liberty6.1.2The State & Rationalism6.1.3Equality & Social Justice6.1.4Liberal Democracy6.1.5Other Important Liberal Ideas6.1.6End of Topic Test - Liberalism
6.2

Differing Views And Tensions Within Liberalism

6.2.1Classical Liberalism6.2.2Modern Liberalism6.2.3End of Topic Test - Tensions & Views
6.3

Liberal Thinkers & Ideas

6.3.1John Locke & Mary Wollstonecraft6.3.2John Stuart Mill & John Rawls6.3.3Betty Friedan6.3.4End of Topic Test - Thinkers & Ideas6.3.5A-A* - Liberalism
7

Socialism

7.1

Socialism: Core Ideas & Principles

7.1.1Fraternity & Co-operation7.1.2Capitalism & Common Ownership7.1.3Communism7.1.4Collectivism7.1.5Common Humanity7.1.6Equality7.1.7Social Class & Workers' Control7.1.8End of Topic Test - Socialism
7.2

Differing Views And Tensions Within Socialism

7.2.1Differing Views And Tensions7.2.2End of Topic Test - Views & Tensions
7.3

Socialist Thinkers and Their Ideas

7.3.1Socialist Thinkers: Marx & Engels7.3.2Socialist Thinkers: Webb & Luxemburg7.3.3Socialist Thinkers: Crosland and Giddens7.3.4End of Topic Test - Thinkers & Ideas7.3.5A-A* (AO3/4) - Socialism
8

The UK Constitution

8.1

Nature & Sources of UK Constitution

8.1.1Development of the UK Constitution8.1.2Nature of the UK Constitution8.1.3Sources of the UK Constitution8.1.4End of Topic Test - Nature & Sources
8.2

Constitutional Change since 1997

8.2.1Constitutional Reform 1997-2010 18.2.2Constitutional Reform 1997-2010 28.2.3Constitutional Reform 2010-15 & Reforms Since 20158.2.4End of Topic Test - Reform8.2.5Application Questions - Reform
8.3

Role & Powers of Devolved UK Bodies

8.3.1Devolution in England & Scotland8.3.2Devolution in Wales & Northern Ireland8.3.3End of Topic Test - Devolution
8.4

Debates on Constitutional Reform

8.4.1Constitutional Reform & Devolution8.4.2Should the Constitution Be Codified?8.4.3End of Topic Test - Reform Debates8.4.4Application Questions - Codification & Devolution
9

The UK Parliament

9.1

Houses of Parliament

9.1.1Houses of Parliament9.1.2Functions of the House of Commons9.1.3Functions of the House of Lords9.1.4End of Topic Test - Parliament9.1.5Top Grade AO3/4 - Parliament
9.2

Comparative Powers

9.2.1Comparative Powers of the Houses9.2.2End of Topic Test - Comparative Powers
9.3

Legislative Process

9.3.1Legislative Stages9.3.2Law-Making in the two Houses9.3.3End of Topic Test - Legislative Process
9.4

Parliament & Executive Interactions

9.4.1Backbenchers9.4.2Select Committees9.4.3The Opposition9.4.4Ministerial Question Time9.4.5End of Topic Test - Parliament & Executive9.4.6Application Questions - Parliament & Executive
10

The Prime Minister & the Executive

10.1

The Executive

10.1.1Structure of the Executive10.1.2Roles of the Executive10.1.3Powers of the Executive10.1.4End of Topic Test - PM & Executive
10.2

Ministerial Responsibility

10.2.1Individual Ministerial Responsibility10.2.2Collective Ministerial Responsibility10.2.3End of Topic Test - Ministerial Responsibility
10.3

Prime Minister & the Cabinet

10.3.1Role of the Prime Minister10.3.2Prime Minister's Powers10.3.3Limits on the Prime Minister's Powers10.3.4Role of the Cabinet10.3.5Prime Minister & Cabinet: Relations10.3.6Prime Minister & Cabinet: Balance of Power10.3.7Prime Minister & Cabinet: Case Studies10.3.8End of Topic Test - PM & Cabinet10.3.9Top Grade AO3/4 - PM & Cabinet
11

Relationships Between Government Branches

11.1

The Supreme Court

11.1.1Role & Composition11.1.2Principles & Influence of the Supreme Court11.1.3End of Topic Test - Supreme Court
11.2

Parliament & Executive Relations

11.2.1Parliament & Executive: Questions11.2.2Parliament & Executive: Committees11.2.3Parliament & Executive: Voting11.2.4Executive Dominance Over Parliament11.2.5Balance of Power11.2.6End of Topic Test - Parliament & Executive11.2.7A-A* (AO3/4) - Relationships Between Government
11.3

The European Union & the UK

11.3.1Aims & Policy Making of the European Union11.3.2End of Topic Test - EU & UK
11.4

Sovereignty in the UK Political System

11.4.1Sovereignty in the UK Political System11.4.2End of Topic Test - Sovereignty
12

US Constitution & Federalism

12.1

Nature of the US Constitution

12.1.1Nature of the US Constitution12.1.2Nature: Positives & Negatives12.1.3Constitutional Framework12.1.4The Amendment Process12.1.5End of Topic Test - Nature US Constitution
12.2

Principles of the US Constitution

12.2.1Federalism12.2.2Separation of Powers/Checks & Balances12.2.3Bipartisanship12.2.4Limited Government12.2.5End of Topic Test - Constitutional Principles
12.3

Federalism

12.3.1Main Characteristics12.3.2Federal Government and the States12.3.3End of Topic Test - Federalism
12.4

Interpretations & Debates

12.4.1Democracy in the Constitution12.4.2Federalism12.4.3End of Topic Test - Debates12.4.4A-A* (AO3/4) - US Constitution
13

US Congress

13.1

Structure of Congress

13.1.1Structure of Congress13.1.2Distribution of Powers13.1.3End of Topic Test - Congress Structure
13.2

Functions of Congress

13.2.1Representation13.2.2Legislative13.2.3Oversight13.2.4End of Topic Test - Functions of Congress
13.3

Interpretations & Debates

13.3.1Changing Roles & Powers13.3.2Changing Significance of Parties & of Powers13.3.3End of Topic Test - Debates13.3.4Application Questions - US Congress
14

US Presidency

14.1

Presidential Power

14.1.1Formal Sources of Presidential Power14.1.2Informal Sources of Presidential Power14.1.3Powers of Persuasion14.1.4End of Topic Test - Presidential Power
14.2

The Presidency

14.2.1President Relationship with Other Institutions14.2.2Limitations on Presidential Power14.2.3US Presidents Achieving Their Aims14.2.4End of Topic Test - Presidency
14.3

Interpretations & Debates of the US Presidency

14.3.1The Imperial Presidency14.3.2The President in Foreign Policy14.3.3End of Topic Test - Debates14.3.4A-A* (AO3/4) - US Presidency
15

US Supreme Court & Civil Rights

15.1

Nature & Role of Supreme Court

15.1.1Nature & Role of the Supreme Court15.1.2End of Topic Test - Nature & Role
15.2

Supreme Court Appointment Process

15.2.1Appointment Process15.2.2Supreme Court Membership15.2.3End of Topic Test - Appointments
15.3

The Supreme Court & Public Policy

15.3.1Supreme Court & Public Policy15.3.2End of Topic Test - Public Policy
15.4

Protection of Civil Liberties & Rights

15.4.1Protection of Civil Liberties & Rights15.4.2Race & Rights in Contemporary US Politics15.4.3End of Topic Test - Rights & Liberties
15.5

Debates & Interpretations of the Supreme Court

15.5.1Political Nature of the Supreme Court15.5.2Judicial Interpretation15.5.3Supreme Court Checks & Balances15.5.4End of Topic Test - Debates15.5.5Application Questions - The Supreme Court
16

US Democracy & Participation

16.1

Presidential Elections

16.1.1Presidential Elections16.1.2Primaries16.1.3National Party Conventions16.1.4End of Topic Test - Presidential Elections
16.2

Electoral College

16.2.1Electoral College System16.2.2Reforms16.2.3End of Topic Test - Electoral College
16.3

Electoral Campaigns

16.3.1Issues in Elections16.3.2End of Topic Test - Campaigns
16.4

Incumbency

16.4.1Elections & Incumbency16.4.2End of Topic Test - Incumbency16.4.3A-A* (AO3/4) - Elections & Electoral College
16.5

Democrats & Republicans

16.5.1National & State Level Organisation16.5.2Democratic & Republican Policies16.5.3Changing Party Significance16.5.4End of Topic Test - Democrats & Republicans
16.6

Internal Conflict & Ideology

16.6.1Types of Democrats16.6.2Types of Republicans16.6.3End of Topic Test - Internal Conflict
16.7

Support & Demographics

16.7.1Coalition of Supporters16.7.2End of Topic Test - Party Support
16.8

Interest Groups

16.8.1Political Significance of Interest Groups16.8.2Interest Group Influence & Impact on Democracy16.8.3End of Topic Test - Interest Groups16.8.4Application Questions - Parties, Ideology & Groups
17

Comparing Democracies

17.1

Theoretical Approaches

17.1.1Theoretical Approaches17.1.2End of Topic Test - Approaches
17.2

UK & USA Similarities & Differences

17.2.1Constitution: Nature17.2.2Constitution: Provisions & Principles17.2.3Federal System & Devolution17.2.4Legislative: Lower Houses of Government17.2.5Legislative: Upper Houses of Government17.2.6Legislative: Powers & Functions17.2.7Executive17.2.8Supreme Court17.2.9Supreme Court: Judicial Independence17.2.10Civil Rights17.2.11Civil Rights: Interest Groups17.2.12Party Systems & Parties17.2.13Campaign Finance & Pressure Groups17.2.14End of Topic Test - Comparing UK & US17.2.15Application Questions - UK & USA
18

Feminism

18.1

Feminism: Core Ideas & Principles

18.1.1Context of Feminism18.1.2Sex & Gender18.1.3Patriarchy & The Personal is the Political18.1.4Difference, Egalitarian & Intersectionality18.1.5Key Themes18.1.6End of Topic Test - Core Ideas & Principles
18.2

Different Types of Feminism

18.2.1The Waves of Feminism18.2.2Socialist & Radical Feminism18.2.3Post-Modern Feminism18.2.4End of Topic Test - Different Types of Feminism
18.3

Feminist Thinkers & Their Ideas

18.3.1Charlotte Gilman & Simone de Beauvoir18.3.2Kate Millett18.3.3Sheila Rowbotham & bell hooks18.3.4End of Topic Test - Feminist Thinkers & Ideas18.3.5A-A* (AO3/4) - Feminism
19

Nationalism

19.1

Nationalism: Core Ideas & Principles

19.1.1Nations & Self-Determination19.1.2Nation-States & Culturalism19.1.3Racialism & Internationalism19.1.4Civic & Ethnic Nationalism19.1.5Liberal & Socialist Internationalism19.1.6Key Themes19.1.7End of Topic Test - Core Ideas & Principles
19.2

Different Types of Nationalism

19.2.1Liberal & Conservative Nationalism19.2.2Post-Colonial & Expansionist Nationalism19.2.3Progressive & Regressive Nationalism19.2.4Inclusive & Exclusive Nationalism19.2.5End of Topic Test -Different Types of Nationalism
19.3

Nationalist Thinkers & Their Ideas

19.3.1Jean-Jacques Rousseau & Gottfried von Herder19.3.2Giuseppe Mazzini & Charles Maurras19.3.3Marcus Garvey19.3.4End of Topic Test - Nationalist Thinkers & Ideas19.3.5A-A* (AO3/4) - Nationalism

Practice questions on Legislative: Lower Houses of Government

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  1. 1
    Strengths of the House of Commons:Fill in the list
  2. 2
    Weaknesses of the House of Representatives:Fill in the list
  3. 3
    For how many years of Obama's presidency was there a divided government?Multiple choice
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Federal System & Devolution

Legislative: Upper Houses of Government