Systems of government

Flashcards about systems of governments

What is the broad definition of 'government'?

The way collective decisions are taken and implemented in a particular community by specially designated people.

What is the focus of constitutional law regarding government?

The decision-making process by state institutions, especially legislatures, executives, and courts.

What is 'governance' in a changing world?

A broader understanding of government that covers recent changes in governmental practice arising from globalizing social, economic, and technological developments.

What are examples of transnational governance?

Regional courts like the European Court of Justice, and institutions like the UN World Trade Organization, NAFTA, SADC, and the European Union.

Why has the word system aroused increasing scepticism from Political Scientists?

They are constantly changing patterns of action in which actors and even rules.

What are the two main forms of government the standard categorization distinguishes between?

Parliamentary and presidential.

What is the core requirement to secure political liberty regarding the separation of powers?

All the powers of the state should not be devolved to a single institution.

In parliamentary systems, how is the executive held accountable?

Through expressions of 'confidence' by the elected legislative chamber; withdrawal of this confidence leads to the executive's resignation.

What is the role of Parliament in most parliamentary systems?

To ‘advise and consent’ on policies and statutes devised by the executive.

What are three aspects dealt with by the 'rationalization' of parliamentary government?

The executive's internal functioning, ministers' appointment and dismissal, and dissolution.

What is the 'constructive vote of no confidence'?

Article 67 of the German Basic Law, which forces a majority in the lower House to appoint a successor if it wants to topple the Chancellor and his/her cabinet.

What is a key feature of the French system of government?

The head of state is elected by universal suffrage and granted important constitutional prerogatives, in addition to a cabinet accountable to Parliament.

What are core features of the presidential model, US style?

Three branches of government: the legislative function is devolved to Congress; the executive power to the President and the judicial power is 'vested' in the Supreme Court, and in 'inferior Courts'.

How can the US President be removed from office?

Through a deliberately complex process of 'impeachment' by Congress for 'Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors'.

What is 'hyper-presidentialism'?

Cases in which few democratic checks operate in a presidential system.

What is the key feature of the Swiss system of government?

It is a consensual government where political decisions are not found by majority decisions but through negotiations and compromise among the important political forces.

What are common challenges faced by parliamentary and presidential governments?

Instability, insufficient accountability, and 'crisis in governance'.

What is 'constrained parliamentarism'?

A system that would resort to the core mechanisms of parliamentary government while constraining law-making through a greater involvement of the people and increased judicial review of higher 'substantive political principles'.

What is 'consociational democracy'?

A system in which as many people as possible are involved in decision-making, often used in societies deeply divided by ethnic or other differences.

What is the centripetal approach in ethnically divided societies?

Provision of incentives that accord an advantage to ethnically based parties that are willing to appeal to voters other than their own.