AP Comp Gov Unit 4 Vocab

Legislative branch

Part of government responsible for writing laws and major policies.

Executive branch

Part of government responsible for implementing laws through the government’s bureaucracy.

Judicial branch

Part of government responsible for hearing cases and applying and interpreting laws.

Head of State

Executive leader who represents a nation in ceremonial functions; may have formal powers to shape foreign policy.

Head of Government

Executive leader known as chief executive; formulates, implements, and enforces policies through the cabinet and different agencies.

Parliamentary systems

Systems that combine the lawmaking and executive functions, allowing the legislature to select and remove the head of government and cabinet.

Presidential systems

Systems using separate election processes for president and legislature; president serves as head of state and government overseeing bureaucratic implementation.

Semi-presidential systems

Systems with separate elections for president and legislature; president serves as head of state and appoints the head of government with legislature’s approval.

Fixed-term election system

Elections for public officials take place on a regularly announced established date.

Executive bureaucracy

The system of governmental agencies that implement executive regulations and laws written by the legislature.

Executive cabinet

Top governmental officials responsible for formulating, implementing, and enforcing policy through various methods and agencies.

Commander-in-chief

Top governmental official in charge of military decisions.

Prime minister

Leader of the national legislature who is also the head of government responsible for formulating, implementing, and enforcing policy.

Civil service

Permanent members of bureaucratic agencies who implement laws and governmental regulations.