gov unit 2 comp

Legislative branch

Part of the government responsible for writing laws and major policies.

Executive branch

Part of the government responsible for implementing laws through the government’s bureaucracy.

Judicial branch

Part of the government responsible for hearing cases, and applying and interpreting laws to resolve legal disputes.

Head of state

Executive leader who represents a nation in ceremonial functions; may also have formal powers to shape foreign policy.

Head of government

Executive leader, also known as chief executive, who formulates, implements, and enforces policies through the cabinet and agencies.

Parliamentary systems

National legislature that combines lawmaking and executive functions, with the power to select and remove a prime minister.

Presidential systems

Separate election processes for the president and the national legislature; president serves as head of state and head of government.

Semi-presidential system

Separate election processes for the president and the national legislature; president serves as head of state and selects the head of government.

Executive term limits

Institutional constraints on the length of time a head of state or head of government can serve in office.

No confidence vote

Method for legislature to remove the prime minister in parliamentary systems.

Impeachment

Method for legislature to remove the president and other executive officials in presidential systems.

Fixed term election system

Elections for public offices take place on a regularly announced established date.

Executive bureaucracy

System of governmental agencies that implement executive regulations and laws written by the legislature.

Question time

Allows majority members of legislature to represent their constituencies and allows opposition to challenge majority party governance.

Executive cabinet

Top governmental officials in charge of formulating, implementing, and enforcing policy.

Commander in chief

Top government official in charge of decisions pertaining to the military.

Unicameral

A legislature consisting of one chamber.

Bicameral

A legislature consisting of two chambers.

Legislative independence

Ability of the legislature to debate policies, facilitate compromises, and hold the executive accountable.

Prime minister

Leader of the national legislature who is also the head of government.

Civil service

Permanent members of bureaucratic agencies who implement laws and governmental regulations.

Parliamentary hybrid

Term that describes Russia’s semi-presidential system with a directly elected president appointing a prime minister.

Judicial Independence

Judges' ability to interpret the law with minimal influence from political officials, maintaining separation of powers.