AP Comp Gov Unit 2

Parliamentary systems

Combine the legislative and executive functions, which allows the legislature to remove the head of government and cabinet.

How is the british prime minister selected

The majority party that is elected by the people, there leader is the prime minister

What is the cabinet of the prime minister

They are the head of the bureaucracy, who are responsible for policy making for their specific field and the legislative branch - also elected MPs

What is the house of commons

The house of commons is the lower house of the British government

What is the house of lords

The upper house of the parliament which is a hereditary position which has the ability to review and ammend bills - delay bills up to two years

What is a presidential system

A system of government where the legislative and executive branch are independent of one another 

What is a semi-presidential system

A president is elected by the people, they then appoint a prime minister for nomination, which has to be approved by the legislative branch, the prime minister is then the head of government and the president is the head of state

What is the head of state

Often a ceremonial role which represents the nation on a global stage

What is the head of government 

A chief executive which is responsible for the day to day running of the government through a cabinet

What is the difference between a head of state and a head of government in a parliamentary and presidential system

In a parliamentary system they are seperate while in a presidential system they are the same

Why is it easier to pass legislation through a parliamentary system

because there are fewer instituional obstacles to enact policies due to the fusion of the legislative and executive branch, therefore the political ideoligies of the leader and the majority party are one in the same

Why is it more difficult to pass legislation in a presidential system

Because in a presidential system the government is divided into different branches making it more difficult to pass legislation

What are some checks and balances in a parliamentary system

1. Censure cabinet ministers

2. Refuse to pass legislation proposed by the prime minister

3. Question time - question the legislation and executive on what they are doing - allows constituents to raise concerns about the legislation

4. A vote of no confidence - parliament can vote that they have lost faith in the ability of the prime minister to govern, if it succeeds then parliament is dissolved and a new general election is called

What are some checks and balances in a presidential system

1. The divided government branches can reject or change policy proposals

2. Impeachment

What is the role of the Chinese president

1. The commander in chief

2. Chair of China’s Military Commission

3. General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party - the national peoples congress

4. Head of state

How can the Chinese president be removed

by the national peoples congress

Who does the chinese president nominate and what is their role

They nominate the premier of the NPC who in turn serves as the head of government overseeing civil service and holds legislative power

What is the make-up of the national peoples congress - the legislative branch

An elected body which is indirectly elected through a series of regional legislative assemblies every 5 years, they then elect the president, and will then approve the premier when the president has chosen them. However, they only meet two weeks per year and are not really responsible for policy making as the politburo has 24 members and is responsible for broad policy oversight while the politburo standing committee contains the msot powerful men in china and are responsible for making laws and are the source of authority.

What is the role of the Iranian Head of state

1. They are the supreme leader and they serve as commander in chief

2. They appoint top ministers

3. Appoint The expediency council

4. Appoint half the guardian council

5. Appoints the head of the judiciary

How can a supreme leader be removed from power

By the assembly of experts

What is the guardian council

They are a body that can veto the legislation passed by the Majles, supervise and approve candidates who run in elections and for the assembly of experts

What is the assembly of experts

They appoint the supreme leader

What is the expediency council

They are an advisory board for the supreme leader and settle disputes between irans legislature and the guardian council

Who are the Majles

The legislative branch of Iran which oversee the budget and confirm presidential nominees and they vote in confirmation of the guardian council - they serve for four years

Who do the Majles work under the supervision of

They work under the supervision of guardian council who ensure that the policies of the majles abide by Shari’a law

Who is the head of government in Iran

A president elected for two four year terms

How can a president be removed in Iran

By the supreme leader of majles

Who is the head of government and state in Mexico

The president who is only elected for one term due to fears of corruption for six years - they are both the head of government and state because it is a presidential system

What do appointments for certain positions in cabinet in Mexico require

Approval from the senate

What is the lower house of Mexico

The chamber of deputies which has 500 members and holds 3 singular year terms 

What is the upper hosue of the Mexican legislative branch

The senate which has the power to confirm appointments to the supreme court, treaties, and approve federal intervention in state matters - hold singular 6 year terms

Who is the head of government and state in Nigeria

The president who is both the head of government and state

How can a president be removed in nigeria

A vote of 2/3 from both houses if there is a case of misconduct 

What do appointments for certain positions in cabinet in Nigeria require

Approval from the senate

What is the lower house of the nigerian legislative branch

The house of representatives 

What is the upper house of nigeria

The senate which possess the power of impeachment and confirmation of powers 

Who is the head of government in Russia

The prime minister who is nominated by the president and approved by the Duma and oversees the civil service

Who is the head of state in Russia

The president (serves for six years) who is responsible for appointing top ministers, judges, conducting foreign policy, and presides over the duma in certain conditions

How can the president of Russia be removed

By 2/3 vote in the Duma which is reffered to the federation council and then the constitutional court

What is the lower house of the legislature in Russia

The Duma which is responsible for passing legislation and confirming the prime minister

What is the upper house of the legislature in Russia

This is the federation council which is responsible for approving budget legislation, treaties, judicial nominees, and troop deployment - they also have the power to reject legislation from the State Duma but the Duma can override this

What is a presidential decree in Russia

The ability of the president to create a law without the legislatures input

Who is the head of state of the UK

The monarchs

Who is the head of the government

The prime minister - the man who holds the most seats in parliament

What are the benefits of term limits

1. Checks the executive power by prohibiting dictatorial rule

2. Helps focus on governing

3. Provides opportunities for new leaders with new ideas 

What are the problems with term limits

1. Forces good leaders to leave

2. Allows insufficient time for an officeholder to achieve goals

3. Impedes policy continuity

What is Rule by law

The government and all its officals are above the law and can use it to their advantage

What is rule of law

All officals are bound by and subject to the law

What is the role of the judiciary in China

The judicial appointments are made by the CCP and they must follow party decisions otherwise they would be removed - while the constitution says the courts should be independent even though they’re not

What is the role of the Iranian judicary system

Its main role is to ensure that the legal system is based on Shari’a law and must be trained in Islamic law. The head of the judicary is appointed by the supreme leader - supreme court has 42 branches each having a judge

What is the role of the Mexican judiciary

The supreme court has the power of judicial review and subsequent constitutional ammendments to make the system more independent. In Mexico the supreme court is elected by the people and there are 11 supreme court justices that serve 15 years

What is the role of the nigeria judiciary

They are reccomended by a judicary council, appointed by the president and approved by the senate. They have the power of judicial review - however courts have been established throughout nigeria. - 21 judiciaries 

What is the role of the Russian judiciary

It is used to target opposition. It has the power of judicial review but has never used. The constitutional court was established in 1993 and has 19 members all chosen by the president and approved by the federation council

What is the role of the U.K judiciary

The U.K uses the common law system which follows the rule of law, unwritten laws, and principles based on legal precedents set by courts. The judges interpret vague laws to establish judical precedent. The major function of the supreme court is the final court of appeals, protecting human rights, and ruling on devolution - established in 2009