presidential systems

Presidential System

Replaces monarchy with an elected executive

Mixed Government

Incorporates elements of monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy

Republicanism

Rejects the notion of a ruling class or family

Constitutional Sovereignty

Written constitution has central, overriding role

Separation of Powers

Complete separation between executive and legislative branches

Checks and Balances

Prevent any one branch from dominating

Supreme Court

Responsible for interpreting and enforcing the constitution

Cabinet

Non-elected body appointed by the president

Executive Branch

Includes president, vice-president, cabinet, and White House officials

Party Discipline

Diminished need in the presidential system

Legislative Powers

Determined by committees in the Senate and the House

Bureaucracy

Considered a fourth branch of the American state

Fragmented Government

Weakness of the separated powers in the presidential system

Policy-making

Difficult and sometimes stymied by stalemate

Parliamentary Government

Flexibility and efficiency adopted by most new democracies

Boris Johnson

Incentive to adopt a presidential system