coalition formation E gov in parlimentary system

Government (in this course)

Specifically refers to the executive (Prime Minister and cabinet), in the context of accountability to parliament, and in contrast with the opposition.

Coalition

A group of political parties working together in government, typically sharing cabinet posts and a common policy agenda, as opposed to a single party government where one party holds an outright majority.

Decree

A formal order or proclamation issued by an executive authority that has the force of law, often without prior legislative approval from parliament or congress. They can also appear in parliamentary systems, sometimes requiring subsequent parliamentary ratification.

Minimal Winning Coalition

A coalition that controls just over 50% of parliament, holding the minimum number of seats required to pass legislation and survive confidence votes. It is intended to be as small as possible to maximize policy influence for each participating party.

Oversized Coalition

Coalitions including parties that are not strictly necessary for a majority, often holding significantly more than 50% of parliamentary seats.

Connectedness (Reason for Oversized Coalitions)

Including a moderate or ideologically central party in discussions to bridge divides and facilitate more stable agreements across a broader political spectrum.

Insurance Against Weak Discipline (Reason for Oversized Coalitions)

To ensure enough support if some coalition members defect or vote against the government, providing a buffer against internal dissent or unexpected absences.

Addressing Unfaithfulness (Reason for Oversized Coalitions)

Having multiple parties lowers the chance of blackmailing in negotiations, as no single small party can threaten to collapse the government by withdrawing its support if its demands are not met.

Bicameral Parliaments (Reason for Oversized Coalitions)

The need to ensure support in both houses of a bicameral parliament, which might not align numerically, requires a broader coalition to secure legislative passage in both chambers.

Ideological Polarization (Reason for Oversized Coalitions)

In a highly polarized system, parties may want to securely hold their coalition against extreme shifts, incorporating a wider range of ideological positions to present a united and stable front.

Minority Government

A government formed by a party (or coalition) that does not hold the majority of seats in parliament, meaning it relies on external support to pass legislation and survive confidence votes.

Shadow Partners (Reason for Minority Governments)

External parties supporting policies without being formally part of the coalition, often preferring to maintain their independence or avoid the costs of formal alliance.

Confidence and Supply Agreements (Reason for Minority Governments)

Formal but limited agreements to support the government on critical votes (e.g., budget, confidence motions) without full coalition membership or sharing cabinet positions, providing a minimum level of stability.

Caretaker Governments

Previous governments that generally remain in office after elections until a new government is confirmed, performing essential administrative functions but refraining from significant new policy initiatives.

Contractual Governance

A decision-making mechanism where parties create detailed agreements on specific policy actions and who will take the lead on certain issues. Decisions are largely pre-determined by the coalition agreement.

Consensus Governance

A decision-making mechanism involving collective gatherings, often involving all coalition party leaders or ministers, to negotiate policy issues as they arise. Decisions require the general agreement of all partners.

Delegation (in coalition governance)

A decision-making mechanism allowing individual ministers from specific parties to govern their assigned sectors with a degree of autonomy, under oversight mechanisms established by the coalition agreement.

Loss of Parliamentary Confidence (Reason for Government Fall)

Parliament can vote to remove the government if confidence is lost, typically through a vote of no confidence or by rejecting a critical bill.

Coalition Breakdown (Reason for Government Fall)

If one coalition member leaves due to irreconcilable policy differences or internal party pressure, the government might lose its majority support, leading to its collapse.

Presidential Systems

Systems where presidents are elected independently of the legislature with fixed terms, unlike prime ministers who depend on parliamentary confidence.

Gridlock (Risk of Presidentialism)

Difficulty in executing policies due to conflicting agendas between a president and a legislature that may be controlled by opposing parties, which can lead to legislative paralysis.

Temporal Rigidity (Risk of Presidentialism)

Obstacles in adjusting governance structures or leadership when political conditions change abruptly, due to fixed terms for both the president and the legislature, making it harder to respond to new challenges.

Majoritarian Tendencies (Risk of Presidentialism)

Presidential elections can create a winner-take-all scenario where a president, even with a narrow victory, acts with the illusion of overwhelming popular support, potentially marginalizing opposing views.

Dual Democratic Legitimacies (Risk of Presidentialism)

Both presidents and legislatures might claim direct mandates from the people due to differing electoral timelines, which can create institutional rivalry and operational friction when their policy preferences clash.