2.6 & 2.7 | Legislative Systems & Independent Legislatures

Bicameral

A legislative system that has two branches or chambers.

Unicameral

A legislative system that has one branch or chamber.

Congressional-Presidential System

A governmental system where the executive branch exists separately from the legislative branch.

Guardian Council

A body in Iran that supervises the Majles to ensure compatibility with Islamic law.

Elections

• 12 members appointed,  not elected

  • 6 Islamic faqihs

    • Appointed by Supreme Leader

• 6  jurists elected by majles from among candidates nominated by the Chief Justice

Term Limits

• 6 year terms

• No term limits

Responsibilities

• Veto power over legislation

• Supervision of elections

• Approving or disqualifying candidates seeking to run in elections

Majles

The elected house in Iran's unicameral legislative system responsible for approving legislation.

Elections

• Mixed election

• Elected in single-member districts using plurality (FPTP) voting

Term Limits

• 4 year terms

• No term limits

Politburo Standing Committee

The top leadership group of the Chinese Communist Party that makes final decisions on key policy issues.

Elections

170 members, not elected

Term Limits

• 5 year terms

• No term limits

Responsibilities

• Permanent body 

• Regularly drafts and and approves decisions and laws

• Meets once every two months

Standing Committee of the NPC

A permanent body in China that drafts and approves legislation when the National People’s Congress is not in session.

National People’s Congress

China's unicameral legislature that elects the president and approves the premier.

Elections

• 2,980 members, not elected

  • Rise from CCP membership and elected by subnational Congresses

Term Limits

• 5 year terms

• No term limits

Responsibilities

• Regularly drafts and approves decisions and laws

• Spring annual meetings lasting 2 weeks

Federation Council

Elections

• Not directly elected

  • 170 members appointed by 85 regional officials or bodies

  Term Limits

  • No fixed terms

    • Serve at the discretion of the regional leadership

Expediency Council

An advisory council in Iran that resolves disputes between the Majles and the Guardian Council.

Elections

• 39 members appointed,  not elected

Term Limits

• 5 year terms

• Appointments at discretion of Supreme Leader

Responsibilities

• Resolving disputes between Majles and Guardian Council

• Advise Supreme Leader on national policy

• Interpreting regime policy

Chamber of Deputies

The lower house in Mexico's bicameral legislature that approves legislation and levies taxes.

• Mixed elections: Very Confusing!

Term Limits

• 3 year terms

• Reelections allowed for up to 4 consecutive terms

House of Commons

The elected lower house of the UK Parliament that approves legislation and includes the Prime Minister.

Term Limits

• 5 year terms*

• No term limits

• PM (executive) is indirectly elected for the position

State Duma

The elected lower house of the Federal Assembly of Russia that passes legislation and confirms the Prime Minister.

• Mixed elections

Term Limits

• 5 year terms

• No term limits

House of Lords

The appointed upper house of the UK Parliament that reviews and amends bills.

• Appointed via different methods

  • Life peers: appointed by monarch based on societal contributions; hold seats for life but cannot pass down position

  • Hereditary peers: 92 members elected by other

People’s Congress System

The party-controlled legislative system in China where the National People’s Congress is the highest organ of state power.

Assembly of Experts

An elected assembly in Iran responsible for selecting and overseeing the Supreme Leader.

Supreme Court of Justice

The highest judicial authority in a jurisdiction.

Legislative System

Structure

• How something is set up

• How is it set up and how does it work

Function

• The responsibilities that are carried out

• What does it do?

• Reinforce stability and legitimacy

  • Respond to public demands

  • Openly debate policy

  • Facilitate compromise

  • Extend civil liberties

  • Restrict power of executive

Nigerian Green Chamber

Elections

• Elected in single-member districts using plurality (FPTP) voting

Term Limits

• 4 year terms

• No term limits

• Speaker of the House is indirectly elected for the position

Nigerian Senate

Elections

• Each of the 36 states is divided into 3 senatorial districts and 1 federal district

• Elected in single-member districts using plurality (FPTP) voting

Term Limits

• 4 year terms

• No term limits

• President of the Senate is indirectly elected for the position

Mexican Senate

Senators are elected using a mixed system, which includes both plurality voting in single-member districts and proportional representation.

Term Limits

Senators serve 6-year terms with term limits of 2 terms.

Assembly of Experts

Elections

• 88 in popular citizen elections

  • Candidates must be Islamic scholars qualified to interpret Islamic law

  • Candidates must be approved by Guardian Council

Term Limits

• 8 year terms

• No term limits

• Chairman of the Assembly of Experts

Responsibilities

• Selecting Supreme Leader

• Evaluating performance of Supreme Leader

• Dismissing Supreme Leader

• Meet twice a year to discuss leadership and national issues