Executive Leadership and the Legislative Process

Flashcards of vocabulary terms and definitions from the text: Executive Leadership and the Legislative Process.

Separation-of-powers

A constitutional system where power is shared by an independently elected president and Congress.

Parliamentary system

A constitutional system where there is a fusion of powers.

Parliament

The central institution in Canada, where the prime minister and cabinet lead the House of Commons.

Policy competence

The ability to avoid distortion by narrow constituency pressure and adopt policies that respond intelligently to broad interests of society.

Ideological direction

The tendency of policymaking toward extremity versus moderation, and dramatic versus incremental change.

Canadian legislative process

Legislation adopted by simple majority vote in the House of Commons, also requiring endorsement by the Senate.

Prime minister

Dominant in the Canadian system as the leader of the party with the most seats in the Commons; draws the cabinet from his or her party’s MPs.

The government/the ministry

Refers to the prime minister and cabinet ministers collectively, introducing all important legislation.

Vote of no confidence

When the Commons defeats a government proposal on a major issue, leading to the government's expected resignation and a new election.

Brokerage parties

Parties that include diverse groups under a common umbrella, with brokering and compromise mainly outside the legislature.

Lawmaking process in the U.S.

Requires passage of a bill by majority votes in both houses of Congress and signature by the president.

Filibuster

A practice in the Senate where prolonged debate is used to delay action, requiring 60 senators to end it.

Divided government

When the presidency and at least one house of Congress are controlled by different parties.

Policymaking majority

The set of elected officials who provide the votes needed to enact legislation.

Ideological profile of a policymaking majority

Includes the central tendency of individual preferences and their degree of coherence or diversity.