Unit II Comparative - Political Institutions

Parliamentary systems

combine lawmaking and executive functions, which allows the national government to select and remove the head of government and cabinet

Presidential systems

feature a cabinet that is mostly responsible to elected executive with a legislature that can only remove members through impeachment. These systems have separate fixed-term, popular elections for the national legislature, and a top executive leader serving as both head of state and head of government.

Semi-presidential systems

feature separate popular elections for president and for the national legislature, allowing the president to nominate a prime minister (who must be approved by the legislature); members of the cabinet are held accountable by both the president and legislature.

King Charles

UK Head of State

President Sheinbaum

Mexico Head of State

President Tinubu

Nigeria Head of State

President Putin

Russia Head of State

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Iran Head of State

President Xi

China Head of State

Mexico

Direct election; straight plurality winner is head of state

UK

Hereditary, First-born child (succession to the Crown Act 2013, effective March 2015) is head of state

Nigeria

Direct 2RS, to be elected in first round, receive plurality and at least 24 states, if not, then 2nd round for head of state

Russia

Direct election, 2RS, majority in 1st (if not, then 2nd) for head of state

Iran

Head of state chosen by Assembly of Experts, need 2/3 vote

China

Head of state chosen by National People’s Congress, General Secretary chosen by Central Committee

2 4 yr terms

Term of office for Nigeria HOS

Life

Term of office for UK HOS

1 6 yr term

Term of office for Mexico HOS

2 6 yr terms

Term of office for Russia HOS

No limits

Term of office for China HOS

6 yr, can be appointed again

Term of office for Russia HOG

no limit

Term of office for UK HOG

2 4 yr terms

Term of office for Iran HOG

2 5 yr terms

Term of office for China HOG

Life, can be removed

Term of office for UK Upper

2 6 yr terms

Term of office for Mexico Upper

4 yr terms, no limit

Term of office for Nigeria Upper

differs by region

Term of office for Russia Upper

4 yr terms, no limit

Term of office for Iran Congress

5 yr terms, no limit

Term of office for China Congress

no limit

Term of office for UK Lower

4 3 yr terms

Term of office for Mexico Lower

4 yr terms, no limit

Term of office for Nigeria Lower

5 yr terms, no limit

Term of office for Russia Lower

Life but mandatory retirement at 75

Term of office for UK Judicial

1 12 yr term

Term of office for Mexico Judicial

Life but mandatory retirement at 70

Term of office for Nigeria Judicial

Mandatory retirement at 70

Term of office for Russia Judicial

none, chief justice serves 5 yr term

Term of office for Iran Judicial

2 5 yr terms

Term of office for China Judicial

Senate

Mexico Upper House

Senate

Nigeria Upper House

Federation Council

Russia Upper House

Majles

Iran Upper House

National People’s Congress

China Upper House