AP Comparative Gov -- Unit 2 -- Political Institutions

backbenchers (UK) *

Members of a parliament who are not in the government or shadow cabinet.

bicameral *

A legislature consisting of two parts, or houses

bureaucracy

An organization structured hierarchically, in which lower-level officials are charged with administering regulations codified in rules that specify impersonal, objective guidelines for making decisions.

cabinet

The body of officials (e.g., ministers, secretaries) who direct executive departments presided over by the chief executive (e.g., prime ministers, president).

Central Military Commission (C)

The most important military organization in the People's Republic of China, headed by the general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, who is the commander-in-chief of the People's Liberation Army.

Chamber of Deputies (M) *

Lower house of Mexico’s legislature (Mexican Congress)

civil service

the merit system by which many federal bureaucrats are selected

commander in chief *

the leader of the nation's armed forces

common law (UK) *

a system based on local customs and precedent rather than formal legal codes

de facto commander in chief *

a person or group that acts in the position of commander-in-chief although not legally determined as the commander-in- chief

Duma (Russia) *

lower chamber of Russia’s legislature (Federal Assembly)

executive term limits *

institutional constraints on the length of time a head of state or head of government can serve in office. The United Kingdom is the only AP Comparative country with no formal executive term limit on its head of state and head of government.

Expediency Council (I)

A committee set up in Iran to resolve differences between the Majles (parliament) and the Guardian Council.

Federation Council (Russia) *

upper house of Russia’s legislature (Federal Assembly)

General Secretary of the CCP (C)

The formal title of the head of the Chinese Communist Party. From 1942 to 1982, the position was called "chairman" and was held by Mao Zedong until his death in 1976.

Guardian Council (I)

A committee created in the Iranian constitution to oversee the Majles

head of government *

The executive role that deals with the everyday tasks of running the state, such as formulating and executing policy

head of state *

The executive role that symbolizes and represents the people both nationally and internationally.

House of Commons (UK) *

lower house in the U.K.’s legislature (Parliament)

House of Lords (UK) *

“upper house” of U.K.’s legislature (Parliament)

House of Representatives (Nigeria) *

Lower house of Nigeria’s legislature (National Assembly)

impeachment *

removal from office

judicial independence *

The belief and ability of judges to decide cases as they think appropriate, regardless of what other people, and especially politically powerful officials or institutions, desire

legislative independence *

The degree to which a legislature is free to exercise its power without constraints from other branches/institutions

Majles (I)

The Iranian parliament, from the Arabic term for "assembly."

National People's Congress (C)

The legislature of the People's Republic of China. It is under the control of the Chinese Communist Party and is not an independent branch of government.

parliamentary system

System of government in which the chief executive is answerable to the legislature and may be dismissed by it.

Politburo Standing Committee (C)

The committee made up of the top twenty-five leaders of the Chinese Communist Party.

presidential system *

a form of government headed by a president who is elected by the people for a limited term of office and whose powers are balanced by an elected legislature

prime minister \*

head of government and typically a member of the majority party

semi-presidential system *

A legislative-executive system that features a prime minister approved by the legislature and a directly elected president

Senate (Mexico) *

upper house of Mexico’s legislature (Mexican Congress)

Senate (Nigeria) *

upper chamber of Nigeria’s Legislature (National Assembly)

shadow cabinet (UK) *

members of opposition parties who watch, or shadow, particular Cabinet members, and would be ready to run the government

sharia law (I)

Islamic law derived mostly from the Qur'an and the examples set by the Prophet Muhammad in the Sunnah.

Standing Committee of the NPC (C)

A subgroup of the Politburo, currently with seven members. The most powerful political organization in China.

Supreme Leader (I) *

The country's most powerful political figure, who has the authority to overrule or dismiss the president, appoints members of the Guardian Council, and has personal representatives in the army, universities, etc.

unicameral *

A single-chamber legislature

vote of no confidence (UK) *

Vote taken by a legislature as to whether its members continue to support the current prime minister. Depending on the country, a vote of no confidence can force the resignation of the prime minister and/or lead to new parliamentary elections.