Comparative Approaches: The UK and US Executive Branches (Edexcel A Level Politics): Revision Note

Both are heads of government, responsible for implementing laws

President Biden oversaw the rollout of the Inflation Reduction Act (2022)

PM Sunak directed implementation of the Energy Price Guarantee (2022–23)

This could be explained by structural theory, as this is a role of the head of the government, who is also responsible for policy implementation

Both select senior officials

President Trump selected Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense (2025)

PM Sunak appointed Jeremy Hunt as Chancellor (2022)

This could be explained by rational theory with appointments as strategic choices to advance policy

Both lead international relations

President Biden authorising military support to Ukraine (2022–23)

PM Sunak attending G7 summits influencing sanctions on Russia

This could be explained by structural theory reflecting both as fulfilling the role of head of state

Both can shape legislative priorities

Biden’s Build Back Better agenda (2021)

Sunak prioritised NHS funding reforms in 2022

This could be explained by rational theory, with each executive trying to fulfil their own policy priorities

Both essentially lead their parties

Biden steered Democrats in the 2022 midterms

Sunak managed Conservative policy and messaging during the 2024 local elections

This could be explained by cultural theory reflecting the norms of party-centric governance

The US president is directly elected via the Electoral College and therefore holds a direct electoral mandate

The UK PM is the leader of the party with a majority following general election results

This could be explained by structural theory, with the UK’s fused powers and US’ separation of powers explaining this difference

Presidents can serve a maximum of two terms

PMs have no formal term limit

This could be explained by cultural theory, with historic precedent (and subsequently constitutional amendments) shaping this expected limit in the US, whilst cultural expectations in the UK being driven by electoral popularity

The US President can veto legislation

The UK PM cannot directly veto bills but can control Commons via party majority

This could be explained by structural theory reflecting on the formal powers of each of these executives

UK PM controls Cabinet more tightly and there is an expectation of cabinet collective responsibility

US presidents often face more independent Senate-confirmed appointees

This could be explained by rational theory, with UK PM dependent on their cabinet to shore up their own power, whilst the US president can act in a more solitary fashion

The president can only be removed via impeachment which is rare and requires the consent of both Houses

In the UK, the PM can be removed by a no-confidence vote in Commons alone

This could be explained by structural theory, with the PM lacking the direct electoral mandate that the US president holds

Both systems provide structured ways for legislatures to question the executive

The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee scrutinised funding advocated for Ukraine

PMQs allow MPs to question the PM weekly

This could be explained by structural theory, as both legislatures are given powers to oversee and begin to limit the power of the executive branches, and to encourage transparency

Both Congress and Parliament approve public spending

Congress authorised the Inflation Reduction Act (2022)

UK Parliament approved the Energy Price Guarantee (2022–23)

This could be explained by structural theory, as formal rules of budget approval constrain executive behaviour

Legislatures can conduct inquiries into executive misconduct

Congress investigated the January 6th Capitol attack (2021)

UK Commons committees investigated Partygate (2022–23)

This could be explained by rational theory, as legislators can act strategically to check the executive for political and policy gains

Both the US Congress and select committees in the Commons can question cabinet members

Kristi Noem questioned on immigration policy by the House Committee on Homeland Security

Priti Patel questioned over bullying by the Home Affairs Select Committee

This could be explained by rational theory, as legislators can act strategically to check the executive for political and policy gains

Both the President and the Prime Minister are reliant on their legislatures for legislative output, including amendments, debates and votes

This could be explained by structural theory, as the legislative process is laid out in the respective rules of each legislature and both require majority assent

Presidents can only be removed via impeachment (Trump 2017, 2021) which is rare and requires the consent of both Houses of Congress

UK PM can be removed by a no-confidence vote in the Commons only, via a simple majority

This could be explained structural theory, as the President holds their own electoral mandate, whereas the PM holds a mandate as the leader of the winning party, and therefore requires their support

US oversight occurs continuously through hearings

UK PMQs are weekly, and formal investigations are less frequent and less public

This could be explained by structural theory, with Congress holding a mandate independent of that of the President, whereas both the PM and House of Commons share a mandate

US Congress has stronger independence

UK Parliament is often constrained by party discipline and stronger whips

This could be explained by cultural theory with an expectation that MPs act with their parties more than members of Congress who have greater responsibility to their constituents

Divided government increases US oversight effectiveness and is very common

UK accountability depends on a chamber that usually has a government majority

This could be explained by structural theory due to the fused nature of the UK government as against the separated nature of the US government

US Congress actions can be reviewed by courts, which can limit their oversight capabilities

UK Parliament is sovereign, limiting judicial oversight and strengthening their powers

This could be explained by structural theory, as this difference stems from institutional design