A detailed, in-depth summary of chapter 14 of the book Politics by Andrew Heywood. The summary includes all terms and definitions and is sufficient scope for the exam. This book is often used for first-year political science courses.
CHAPTER 14 – POLITICAL EXECUTIVES AND LEADERSHIP
- Irreducible core of government
- Executive is the source of political leadership
ROLE OF THE EXECUTIVE
Who’s who in the executive
- Executive → the branch of government that is responsible for the execution or
implementation of policy and laws
- Division of government
o Legislatures make law – they enact legislation
o Executives implement law – they execute law
o Judiciaries interpret law – they adjudicate on the meaning of law
- Executive’s responsibilities tend to be substantially broader
- 2 categories
o 1. Distinction is drawn between political and bureaucratic executive
▪ Between politicians and civil servants
o 2. Various levels of status and responsibility have been identified within
executives
▪ Pyramidal, organized according to clear leadership structure
- Parliamentary systems – political executive comprises elected politicians
o Their job is to make policy in accordance with ideological priorities of their
party
o The political/bureaucratic distinction is often blurred in Australia, Canada,
India and the UK
o USA – president is the only elected politician in the executive
▪ Cabinet members are just appointed
- Parliamentary executive → typically composed of a prime minister and cabinet, that
is drawn from, and accountable to the parliament, and is formed through
parliamentary elections
- Presidential executive → headed by a separately elected president, who enjoys
political and constitutional independence form the parliament
- 2 roles
o 1. Head of state as a formal authority with largely symbolic importance
o 2. Head of government who carries policy-making responsibilities
o USA, France, Russia → wearing two hats
o Parliamentary systems – the roles are usually separate with a prime minister
- Range of secretaries – developing and implementing policies in specific areas
- Cabinets – responsibilities from sharing of policy-making power to offering advice
- Enforcement agencies – police force or armed forces – quasi-governmental bodies
(quangos)
- Cabinet → a group of senior ministers that meets formally and regularly, and is
chaired by the chief executive, cabinets may make policy or be consultative
, Functions of political executives
- The task is to provide leadership, commanding heights
Ceremonial leadership
- ‘standing’ for the state, state authority in personal form
- Acting as a symbol
- State occasions, foreign visits, international conferences, ratification of treaties and
legislation
- Usually for non-executive presidents or constitutional monarchs
- Significant for 2 reasons
o 1. Provides focus for unity and political loyalty → help building legitimacy
o 2. Allows those at the top to portray themselves as national leaders
- Head of state → the personal embodiment of the state’s power and authority
Policy-making leadership
- Direct and control the policy process
- Expanded during 20th century
- Control of state’s external relationships in interdependent world
- Initiating legislative programs
- But the political executive is not always dominating the policy process – there are
other political parties and interest groups
Popular leadership
- Crucial to the character and stability of the regime as a whole
- Mobilizing support and ensuring the compliance and cooperation of the general
public
- Explains the widespread use of regular and competitive elections
Bureaucratic leadership
- Task of overseeing the implementation of policy means that the political executive
has major bureaucratic and administrative responsibilities
o Top management
- There are doubts about the effectiveness
o Staffed by politicians – lack of competence, managerial experience and
administrative knowledge
o Particular government departments can develop their own interests with
powerful client groups
o Bureaucracy as a whole can develop interests different of those of the
political executive
Crisis leadership
- Ability to take a swift and decisive action
- Near-dictatorial powers in times of war
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