Comparing Westminster
著者
書誌事項
Comparing Westminster
Oxford University Press, 2009
大学図書館所蔵 件 / 全17件
-
該当する所蔵館はありません
- すべての絞り込み条件を解除する
この図書・雑誌をさがす
注記
Bibliography: p. [235]-254
Includes indexes
内容説明・目次
内容説明
This book explores how the governmental elites in Australia, Britain, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa understand their Westminster system. It examines in detail four interrelated features of Westminster systems. Firstly, the increasing centralisation in collective, responsible cabinet government. Second, the constitutional convention of ministerial and collective responsibility. Third, the role of a professional, non-partisan public service. And finally,
parliament's relationship to the executive. The authors explain the changes that have occured in the Westminster model by analysing four traditions: royal prerogative, responsible government, constitutional bureaucracy, and representative government. They suggest that each tradition has a recurring
dilemma, between centralisation and decentralisation, party government and ministerial responsibility, professionalisation and politicisation, and finally elitism and participation. They go on to argue that these dilemmas recur in four present-day debates: the growth of prime ministerial power, the decline in individual and collective ministerial accountability, politicisation of the public service, and executive dominance of the legislature. They conclude by identifying five meanings of - or
narratives about - Westminster. Firstly, 'Westminster as heritage' - elite actors' shared governmental narrative understood as both precedents and nostalgia. Second, 'Westminster as political tool' - the expedient cloak worn by governments and politicians to defend themselves and criticise opponents.
Third, 'Westminster as legitimising tradition' - providing legitimacy and a context for elite actions, serving as a point of reference to navigate this uncertain world. Fourth, 'Westminster as institutional category' - it remains a useful descriptor of a loose family of governments with shared origins and characteristics. Finally, 'Westminster as an effective political system' - it is a more effective and efficient political system than consensual parliamentary governments. Westminster is a
flexible family of ideas that is useful for many purposes and survives, even thrives, because of its meaning in use to elite actors.
目次
- Preface and Acknowledgements
- List of Tables
- List of Abbreviations
- 1. Looking for Westminster
- 2. Comparing Westminster
- 3. Living Traditions
- 4. Executive and Cabinet
- 5. Ministerial Responsibility
- 6. The Public Service
- 7. Parliaments and Representation
- 8. The Meanings of Westminster
- Bibliography
- Index
「Nielsen BookData」 より