AP Comparative Government: Unit 2 Key Concepts and Country Systems

Head of State

Symbolic leader of a country (represents the nation)

Head of Government

Runs day-to-day government and policy

Parliamentary System

Voters elect Parliament; majority party chooses the Prime Minister

Prime Minister

Head of Government in a parliamentary system

Vote of No Confidence

Legislature can remove executive anytime in a parliamentary system

Presidential System

Voters directly elect President; clear separation of powers

Impeachment

Legislature cannot remove president except through this process

Semi-Presidential System

President elected by voters; legislature chooses a Prime Minister

UK Government Structure

Parliamentary system with a monarch as Head of State

Russia's Executive System

Semi-presidential system where President dominates

China's Executive System

Executive made up of top CCP leaders; no competitive elections

Mexico's Executive Authority

President serves a single 6-year term with strong authority

Iran's Supreme Leader

Ayatollah Khamenei holds real power over the government

Term Limits in Mexico

One 6-year term with no re-election allowed

Term Limits in Iran

President can serve two 4-year terms; Supreme Leader has no limit

Vote of No Confidence Example

Liz Truss was removed in 2022 via this process

Legislative Independence

Key idea that removal rules exist but lack of independence in authoritarian states

Bicameral Parliament

UK's legislative structure with House of Commons and House of Lords

Unicameral Legislature

China's National People's Congress meets rarely and acts as a rubber stamp

Bicameral Congress in Mexico

Includes Chamber of Deputies and Senate

Majlis in Iran

Unicameral legislature that reviews laws with Guardian Council

Nigerian Legislature

Bicameral system with House of Representatives and Senate

Ability to challenge executive

Real lawmaking power; Protection from outside interference

NPC Standing Committee

Controls agenda in China

Politburo Standing Committee

Holds real power in China

Guardian Council

Blocks laws violating Islam or constitution in Iran

Expediency Council

Resolves disputes; appointed by Supreme Leader in Iran

Rule of Law

Law limits government (UK)

Rule by Law

Law used to control people (China)

Independent courts

Characteristic of the judicial system in the United Kingdom

Supreme Court

Protects rights in the United Kingdom

Judges appointed by President

Characteristic of the judicial system in Russia

Courts used against opposition

Characteristic of the judicial system in Russia

Judicial review

Exists but rarely used in Russia

Courts subordinate to CCP

Characteristic of the judicial system in China

Judges appointed with legislative involvement

Characteristic of the judicial system in Mexico

More independent post-2000

Characteristic of the judicial system in Mexico

Head of judiciary

Appointed by Supreme Leader in Iran

Courts enforce religious law

Characteristic of the judicial system in Iran

Supreme Court exists

Characteristic of the judicial system in Nigeria

Judicial Independence Index (2017)

UK - 6.35 (most independent), China - 4.49, Iran - 3.63, Nigeria - 3.63, Russia - 3.52, Mexico - 2.9 (least independent)

Why Judicial Independence Matters

Protects rights and liberties, Limits executive abuse, Resolves political disputes, Maintains democratic legitimacy

Fixed-Term Election

Elections held at constitutionally set intervals

Coalition Government

An executive formed by multiple parties sharing power

Executive-Legislative Relations

The balance of power and interaction between executive and legislative branches

Dual Executive

A system where executive authority is divided between two leaders

Cabinet

Senior officials who lead government departments and advise the executive

Executive Power

Authority to enforce laws, conduct foreign policy, and manage the bureaucracy

Term Limits

Constitutional limits on how long an executive may serve

Unified Executive

Principle that executive power is centralized in one authority

Authoritarianism

A system with limited political pluralism and concentrated power

Democratic Backsliding

The gradual erosion of democratic institutions

Executive Longevity

The length of time an executive remains in power

Electoral Legitimacy

Public belief that elections are fair and valid

Executive Entrenchment

When leaders manipulate institutions to stay in power

Legislature

A body responsible for making laws

Bicameral

A legislature with two chambers

Unicameral

A legislature with one chamber

Upper House

Chamber representing regions or elites

Lower House

Chamber representing the people

Rubber-Stamp Legislature

A legislature that routinely approves executive decisions

Legislative Oversight

Legislature's ability to monitor the executive

Separation of Powers

Division of government authority among branches

Checks and Balances

Mechanisms preventing concentration of power

Judicial Independence

Courts operate free from political pressure

Constitutional Court

Court focused on constitutional interpretation

Common Law

Law based on precedent and judicial rulings

Civil Law

Law based on written legal codes

Authoritarian Judiciary

Courts controlled by the regime

Due Process

Legal requirement of fair treatment

Independent Judiciary

Judiciary able to limit executive power

Political Interference

Executive influence over courts

Judicial Transparency

Openness of court procedures