Unit 2: Political Institutions

Legislative Branch

part of the government responsible for writing laws and significant policies

The Executive Branch

part of the government responsible for implementing laws through the government’s bureaucracy

The Judicial Branch

part of the government accountable for hearing cases and applying and interpreting laws

Head of State

an executive leader who represents a nation in ceremonial functions; in some governments, can also have formal powers to shape foreign policy

Head of Government

executive leader, sometimes known as the chief executive, who formulates, implements, and enforces policies through the cabinet and different agencies

Parliamentary Systems

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

Presidential Systems

When separate election processes are used in the selection of the president and the national legislature; The president serves as head of state and head of government and oversees bureaucratic implementation of executive regulations and laws written by the legislature

Semi-Presidential Systems

when separate election processes are used in the selection of the president and the national legislature; The president serves as head of state and selects the head of government, with the legislature’s approval, to shape policies and to implement the legislature’s laws

Fixed-Term Election System

in which elections for public officials take place on a regularly announced and established schedule/date

Executive Bureaucracy

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

Executive Cabinet

top governmental officials in charge of formulating, implementing, and enforcing policy through different methods and bureaucratic agencies

Commander in Chief

the top governmental official in charge of decisions about the military

Prime Minister

when the leader of the national legislature is also the head of government, who oversees formulating, implementing, and enforcing policy through different methods and bureaucratic agencies

Civil Service

permanent members of bureaucratic agencies who implement laws and governmental regulations