Unit 3: Political Institutions

Federal systems

a political system in which a state’s power is legally and constitutionally divided among more than one level of government

• usually have bicameral national legislatures (upper house represents state or provincial governments) (lower house represents individual voters)

Federalism

sees powers such as taxation, lawmaking, and security developed to regional bodies

• sharing of power between the state and federal government

• helps to represent local interests as well as check the growth of central power (can be seen as a threat to democracy)

Asymmetric Federalism

power is divided unevenly between regional bodies

Unitary Systems

political power is concentrated to a central authority who holds supreme power and authority

• power is not divided between national and regional givernments

• divided into provinces and “states” with some self-government

• national government can enlarge or restrict their authority at its discretion

• have unicameral legislature because there is no need you create a separate house for states and province that have little power

Devolution

occurs when the national government gives regional government more power and authority

Executive

the chief political power in a state, typically the single most powerful office in government

• referred to as president or prime minister

• responsible for carrying out the laws and policies of a state

Head of State

a role that symbolizes and represents the people, both nationally and internationally, and may or may not have any real policy-making power

Head of government

deals with the everyday tasks of running the state, and usually directs the activities of other members of the executive branch

Bureaucracy

consists of agencies that generally implement government policy-they are generally appointed and not elected officials

Legislative

the branch of government charged with making laws

• may be a bicameral with two houses, or unicameral with only one

Bicameralism

two houses (legislative branch)

Unicameralism

one house (legislative branch)

Judiciary

system of courts that interprets the law and applies it to individual cases

Judicial review

allows courts to review laws and executive actions for their constitutionality

• used to protect human rights

parliamentary system

often have two-executives-a head of state, who performs ceremonial duties and a head of government who is in charge if policymaking

• originates in the United Kingdom

• power is with in the legislature and there are some checks within government institution

prime minister

The head of government in the parliamentary system

• help to lead the executive branch, set policies, oversee the cabinet, and usually come from a majority party in the legislature

coalition government

Where two or more parties agree to work together to form a majority and select a prime minister

• A government formed when no single party wins a majority in parliament, so multiple parties join together to create a majority and share power

member of parliment (MP)

An elected representative in the legislature (parliament) who makes laws, represents constituents, and support or oppose the government

vote of no confidence

the leading party in parliament can choose a new leader as prime minister, or the resigning prime minister can call for new parliamentary elections

presidential system

executive and legislative branches are elected independently and have separate and independent powers

• head of state and head of government are filled by the president

separation of powers

sees a division of power amongst the major branches of government

• each branch has their own job and can’t take over any other jobs from the other

• The defining aspect of a presidential system

divided government

when the president and legislature being elected independently of one another

• this can lead to a diminished sense of public confidence in the government

• refers to a political situation where different political parties control the executive and legislative branches of a state's government.

• elected in separate (and possibly concurrent) elections

semi-presidential system

splits executive power between an elected president and a prime minister

• to be successful the powers and duties of the president and prime minister as dual executives must be spelled out in the constitution

commander-in-chief

the executive branch (president’s) role in the military, which gives that person the authority to deploy troops abroad and, under certain circumstances, at home.

term limits

the number of times the executives (president) are allowed to serve

term of office

the executive’s term is a specified number of years

• provides for a predictable schedule of elections

• usually is reserved for the presidential system

executive removal

means the process or mechanism by which a head of government or executive leader (like a president or prime minister) can be taken out of office before their term ends.

• In presidential systems, this usually happens through impeachment (a legal process often requiring legislative approval).

• In parliamentary systems, executives (prime ministers and their cabinets) can be removed through a vote of no confidence in the legislature.

impeachment

legislative determines if the president should be removes based off if they think the president meets the constitutional standards for removal

• the legislative branch has the power to remove the president from office with a 2/3 vote

patron-client system

An informal relationship where powerful leaders provide resources, jobs, or protection in exchange for political support or loyalty.

meritocracy

A system where officials are chosen and promoted based on ability, qualifications, and performance instead of connections or wealth.

cabinet system

A group of high-ranking officials (often ministers) who advise the head of government and lead executive departments; common in parliamentary systems.

legislative oversight

The power of the legislature to monitor and check the executive branch, including reviewing laws’ implementation and questioning officials.

power of the purse

The legislature’s control over government spending, taxation, and budget approval.

bureaucratic discretion

The ability of bureaucrats (government officials) to make decisions in implementing laws and policies, since laws are often vague.

common law

a legal system in which judges make decisions by applying a precedent (a previous written decision that applies a rule to be applied in similar cases in the future)

• looks at past cases to make decisions for future cases

precedent

a previous written decision that applies a rule to be applied in similar cases in the future

code law

a legal system where judges follow the law as written by the legislature instead of following precedent set by previous court decisions

• the countries (that follow) usually have a special court that handles constitutional decisions

judicial independendence

the ability of judges to decide cases according to the law, free of interference from politically powerful officials or other institutions

Describe federal and unitary systems amongst countries.

Explain the purposes of adopting a federal or unitary system.

Describe parliamentary, presidential, and semi-presidential systems.

Compare institutional relations between parliamentary, presidential, and semi-presidential systems

Explain the structure, function, and change of executive power amongst countries.

Describe procedures for the removal of executive leadership by other institutions.

Describe legislative structures and functions amongst countries.

Explain how legislative powers are constrained by other institutions and/or processes, which can affect legislative independence.

Describe the structure and functions of judiciaries.

Explain the importance of independent judiciaries relative to other political institutions.