1.3.4 Debates on the power of the Prime Minister

• What are the two main categories of sources for the Prime Minister's power?

  Formal and informal
• Chairing Cabinet meetings is an informal power of the Prime Minister.

  False
• What is the term for the Prime Minister's ability to use media to promote their agenda?

  Media management
• A strong Prime Minister can unify the nation during crises.


  True
• Checks and balances on executive authority are maintained by limiting the Prime Minister's power
• Patronage is a formal power of the Prime Minister.

  False
• What role does a strong Prime Minister play in national unity?

  Unifying the nation
• What is one argument for a strong Prime Minister related to effective leadership?

  Guides government objectives
• A strong Prime Minister facilitates unified and timely decision-making
• A strong Prime Minister can unify the nation and provide stability.


  True
• Limiting Prime Ministerial power increases oversight by Parliament and the public
• What is one mechanism Parliament uses to balance power?

  Parliamentary scrutiny
• Checks and balances ensure neither the executive nor legislative branch dominates.


  True
• Order the steps in the role of political conventions:

  1️⃣ Reconciling party factions

  2️⃣ Selecting a unifying candidate

  3️⃣ Building party unity

  4️⃣ Securing campaign funding

  5️⃣ Shaping public opinion
• Political conventions can constrain power by establishing expectations and boundaries on acceptable behavior
• Match the argument for or against executive dominance with its opposing viewpoint:

  Effective leadership ↔️ Accountability

  Strategic direction ↔️ Checks and balances
• The Prime Minister's ability to appoint and dismiss ministers is a formal source of power
• Match the Prime Minister's formal powers with their description:

  Appointment of ministers ↔️ The PM can choose and remove ministers

  Legislation ↔️ The PM introduces and steers laws

  Royal Prerogative ↔️ The PM exercises powers on behalf of the monarch
• A strong Prime Minister can provide effective leadership
• Why is accountability considered an argument for limiting the Prime Minister's power?

  To prevent abuse of power
• Order the benefits of limiting the Prime Minister's power:

  1️⃣ Accountability to Parliament and the public

  2️⃣ Maintenance of checks and balances

  3️⃣ Promotion of collective decision-making

  4️⃣ Prevention of abuse of power
• Match the arguments for a strong Prime Minister with their benefits:

  Effective leadership ↔️ Achieves government objectives

  Unified decision-making ↔️ Facilitates timely actions

  Crisis management ↔️ Guides the country through crises
• A strong Prime Minister is capable of effectively managing crises.


  True
• What is one role of a Prime Minister during a crisis?

  Crisis management
• Match the argument for limiting Prime Ministerial power with its effect:

  Checks and balances ↔️ Prevents accumulation of power

  Collective decision-making ↔️ Promotes balanced policy decisions

  Accountability ↔️ Increases public oversight
• Parliament's legislative powers enable it to scrutinize government bills
• What are political conventions used for in democracies?

  Selecting candidates
• What is one example of political conventions enabling power?

  Setting political agenda
• The balance between the constraining and enabling effects of conventions is crucial for power dynamics.


  True
• What is one argument against executive dominance related to accountability?

  Increases public oversight
• The debate on executive dominance focuses on balancing strong leadership with accountability and checks and balances