structural approach

Question 1

what is the structural approach

Answer 1

focuses on institutions
suggests that political outcomes are determined by the processes laid out within a pol system eg relationship between the government and the governed
- lives of individuals within society are largely determined by their position within a structure

Question 2

when is structural approach relevant

Answer 2

comparing legislatures and executive, judiciaries and constitutions, political parties and pressure groups

Question 3

eg of structural approach

Answer 3

the us and uk constitutions are codified and uncodified which leads to difference in outcome

Question 4

structural approach when comparing constitutions

Answer 4

• codified con in us = harder to amend than in the uk which is uncodified… amend us need 2/3rds majority in both houses then ratification and the uk con only needs an act of parliament so us con is rigid whilst uk con is flexible
• separation of powers in the us means all branches are equal so none can dominate whereas in the uk parl sov means sc can only declare ultra vires. the fusion of power in parl means the PM dominates parl whereas sep of powers means the pres struggles to dominate congress
• us both houses are directly elected and have equal leg power = gridlock whereas because of the structure of the uk the HOC dominates the HOL (not elected) because of Parl acts 1911 and 1949

Question 5

structural approach to legislative branches

Answer 5

• members of congress are forbidden to hold positions in the exec whereas in the uk exec branch members are also members of parliament in the leg branch
• uk elections are held for commons and leader of the party who win most seats in commons then chooses their own cabinet from their party in which they will form a majority gov to pass most leg whereas in the us congressional and presidential elections are seperate and pres have to persuade congress to pass their leg