1. Our Study of the British Case
So far: themes of economic & political development
Implications—labor’s support for welfare and “collectivist consensus”
Now some other classic comparative politics topics
Parliamentary vs. presidential system
Electoral system design
In context
Parliamentary system
Ex: Thatcher’s effort to dismantle welfare state
Electoral system
Ex: Fate of Labour and Liberal Democratic parties

2. Parliamentary vs. Presidential Systems
Contrast US
Britain 2 2

3. Parliamentary vs. Presidential Systems
Contrast US and British systems
US presidential system
“Checks and balances,” “Veto points”
President and Congress check each other
British parliamentary system
Executive and Legislative fused
Prime Minister as leader of majority party in Parliament
Can strategically call elections any time within 5-year terms
Parliamentary legislative process
Legislation more likely to be enacted
Legislation more coherent
Greater party discipline
“No confidence” votes

4. Example of Policy-making in Parliamentary System: The Thatcher Revolution”
Margaret Thatcher
Conservative Party leader 1975
Elected prime minister 1979
Conservatives won new election after Labour (Callahan) lost “no confidence vote”

5. Example of Policy-making in Parliamentary System: The Thatcher Revolution”
Reduce state role in economy
Informed by ideas of neo-liberalism
Privatize
Sell off profitable state industries
British Airways
British Telecomm
Public housing 5

6. Example of Policy-making in Parliamentary System: The Thatcher Revolution”
Privatize
Public housing
As % of total gov spending
As % of GDP 6 6

7. Parliamentary institutions
Example of Policy-making in Parliamentary System: The Thatcher Revolution”
How did she do it?
Parliamentary institutions
PM and dominant Parliamentary party—same party by design
Contributed to force and coherence of Conservative Party’s “Thatcher Revolution”
Strategically called elections when most popular (after successful Falklands War)
Facilitated long stay in power ( )

8. Contrast Policy-making in Presidential System: Ronald Reagan
Pres. Reagan was similarly guided by neo-liberal ideas and sought to reduce role of government in economy
Reagan—a Republican—had to work with
Democrat-controlled House
8 out of 8 years in office
Democrat-controlled Senate
2 out of 8 years in office
Legislation important to Reagan had to have bi-partisan support to pass
Pres. Reagan ( ) faced two-term maximum with fixed dates for elections 8