Essentials of Comparative Politics - Chapter 5

Democracy

a political system in which political power is exercised either directly or indirectly by the people

Liberal Democracy

a political system that promotes participation, competition, and liberty and emphasizes individual freedom and civil rights

Republicanism

indirect democracy that emphasizes the separation of powers within a state and the representation of the public through elected officials (as opposed to the unaccountable powers of a monarchy or the direct participation of the people)

Civil Society

organized life outside the state that help people define and advance their own interests

Separation of Powers

the clear division of power between different branches of government and the provision that specific branches may check the power of other branches

Direct Democracy

democracy that allows the public to participate directly in government decision making

Indirect Democracy

democracy in which representatives of the public are responsible for government decision making

Executive

the most prominent office in any country - the branch that carries out the laws and policies of a state

Head of State

the executive role that symbolizes and represents the people both nationally and internationally

Head of Government

the executive role that deals with the everyday tasks of running the state, such as formulating and executing policy

Rule of Law

a system in which all individuals and groups, including those in government, are subject to the law, irrespective of their power or authority

Legislature

the body in which national politics is considered and debated; it is charged with passing legislation

Bicameral System

a political system in which the legislature comprises two houses

Unicameral System

A political system in which the legislature comprises one house

Constitutional Court

the highest judicial body in a political system that decides whether laws and policies violate the constitution

Judicial Review

the mechanism by which courts can review the actions of government and overturn those that violate the constitution

Concrete Judicial Review

judicial review that allows the constitutional court to rule on the basis of actual legal disputes brought before it

Abstract Judicial Review

judicial review that allows the constitutional court to rule on questions that do not arise from actual legal disputes

Parliamentary System

-a political system in which the roles of head of state and head of government are assigned to separate executive offices

-comprised of two basic elements: prime ministers and their cabinets, and the legislature (elects and removes the prime minister from office)

Vote of No Confidence

vote taken by a legislature as to whether its members continue to support the current prime minister; depending on the country, a vote of no confidence can force the resignation of the prime minister and/or lead to new parlimentary elections

Presidential System

-a political system in which the roles of head of state and head of government are combined in one executive offices

-the president and legislature serve for fixed terms, typically between four and seven years

-only in the case of malfeasance can elected officials lose their seats

Semipresidential System

-an executive system that divides power between two strong executives, a president and a prime minister

-ex.: France - residents will often set forth policy, but expect the prime minister to translate those policies into legislation and to ensure that it is passed

Electoral System

-a set of rules that decide how votes are cast, counted, and translated into seats in a legislature

-a factor that accounts for diversity in politics

Constituencies

a geographical area that an elected official represents

Single-Member District (SMD)

an electoral district with one seat

Proportional Representation

an electoral system in which political parties compete in multimember districts, voters choose between parties, and the seats in the district are awarded proportionally according to the results of the vote

First Past the Post

an electoral system in which individual candidates compete in singlemember districts; voters choose between candidates, and the candidate with the largest share of the vote wins the seat

Multi-Member District (MMD)

an electoral district with more than one seat

Mixed Electoral System

-an electoral system that uses a combination of single-member districts and proportional representation

-voters are given two votes (one fora candidate and the other for a party)

Referendum

a national vote called by a government to address a specific proposal, often a change to the constitution

Initiative

-a national vote called by members of the public to address a specific proposal

-citizens may collect signatures to put a question on a ballot

-may help legitimize the democratic process, but could place too much power in the uninformed public

Civil Rights

-individual rights regarding equality that are created by the constitution and the political regime

-the promotion of freedom

Civil Liberties

-individual rights regarding freedom that are created by the constitution and the political regime

-both rights and liberties include free speech and movement, religious belief, public assembly, equal treatment under law, prevention of inhumane punishment, fair trial, privacy, choice of one's government (depends on the rule of law)