AP Comp Gov Unit 2

Parliamentary System

Lawmaking and executive functions combined, national legislature selects and removes head of government and cabinet, UK, more legislative efficiency, fewer check and balances, voters are farther removed from government

Presidential System

Cabinet is responsible to elected executive, only removable by legislature through impeachment, fixed

Semi-Presidential System

Separate popular elections for president and legislature, president nominates prime minister to be approved by legislature, members of cabinet held accountable by president and legislature, Russia

UK Executive System

Head of government Prime Minister Boris Johnson, forms government after elections, directs legislation, chief diplomat, calls national elections, 5 year terms based on the Fixed Terms Parliament Act of 2011, can be removed from office by a vote of no confidence. Head of state Queen Elizabeth II, symbolic representation, serves for life or until resignation.

Mexico Executive System

Head of state and government President Andres Manuel Lopez

Nigeria Executive System

Head of state and government President Muhammadu Buhari, appoints cabinet, signs legislation, refers bills to Supreme Court for judicial review, commander in chief, 2 possible 4 year terms, can be removed through impeachment.

Russia Executive System

Head of State Vladimir Putin, carries out constitution, directs policy, commander in chief, resolves citizenship issues, ceremonial duties, grants pardons, unlimited 6 year terms, can only be removed through elections. Head of government Premier Mikhail Mishustin, day to day running of government, can only affect domestic policy, can be denied office by the Duma.

Iran Executive System

Head of state Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameini, source of power and authority for the state, ensure Islam is followed throughout the state, commander in chief, appoints half the Guardian Council, appoints chief justice, maintains economic control, has the final say in policy, serves for life, can be removed by Assembly of Religious Experts for failing to uphold religious duties. Head of government President Ebrahim Raisi, drafts budget, initiates legislation, selects cabinet ministers, executes laws, diplomat, 2 4 year terms.

China Executive System

Real executive power lies in the CCP. Head of state President Xi Jinping, ceremonial, holds party power, unlimited 5 year terms, can be removed through elections. Head of government Premier Li Keqiang, domestic policy assigned to them, once renewable 5 year term, can be removed by Congress but in practice it's the president's decision.

UK Legislative System

Upper house House of Lords, less powerful, members must be appointed. Lower house House of Commons, more powerful, final say in all matters, directly elected. Very independent, strong checks and balances.

Mexico Legislative System

Upper house Senate, confirms presidential appointees, approves treaties. Lower house Chamber of Deputies, passes laws, levies taxes, verifies election results. Since the end of PRI rule, independence has increased, much more separate from executive now.

Nigeria Legislative System

Upper house Senate, lowe house House of Representatives. Independence has increased since the end of military dictatorship, has successfully checked executive, and pursues legislation not supported by them.

Russia Legislative System

Upper house Federation Council, less powerful, appointed, approves Duma's legislation, represents regional interests, structured to be loyal to Putin. Lower house Duma, more powerful, limited checks on executive, but if they reject proposed Premier 3 times, they must be dissolved and a new legislature elected. Duma largely serves to increase Putin's legitimacy.

Iran Legislative System

Unicameral, Majilis, elected, initiates/passes legislation, oversees federal budget, can remove cabinet but not president, president cannot veto legislation or dissolve Majilis, creating conflict. The Majilis is controlled by the Guardian Council, and if there is significant conflict between the two parties, the Expediency Council gets the final say.

China Legislative System

Unicameral, National People's Congress, indirectly elected, technically has the power of constitutional amendment, pass not create laws, elect president and premier. However, head of NPC must be on the CCP's standing committee, giving them control.

UK Judicial System

3 justice systems (Northern Ireland, Scotland, England & Wales), all lead to Supreme Court (est. 2009), justices nominated by panel of lawyers. SC is highest court of appeals, does not have judicial review (only parliament can repeal parliamentary law). Justice system is independent, neutral, and non

Mexico Judicial System

Multiple levels of courts, including a Supreme Court, justices are nominated by president and approved by senate, for 15 year terms. Has the power of judicial review, can be forced to act on constitutional matters by a 1/3 COD vote, measure can be striked down by an 8/11 vote of justices. The most powerful judicial institution is the Federal Judiciary Council, which oversees the entire court system, including the appointment of federal justices. Current SC president is also FJC president. Judiciary is on track to indepence, thanks to constitutional amendments, but there are concerns about the proximity of the FJC to the president.

Nigeria Judicial System

State and federal courts following the British model, which exist alongside the Sharia courts in 12 Northern states. During military rule the judiciary was decimated, so current judges are incompetent, and easily manipulated by the government. SC is appellate and has judicial review power. Judicial independence is growing but currently insignificant.

Russia Judicial System

Supreme Court justices nominated by the president, approved by FC, has abstract judicial review. SC is used to increase Putin's legitimacy.

Iran Judicial System

Justices are trained in Iranian Sharia law, head of judiciary appointed by Supreme Leader, in charge of nominating half the Guardian Council. main function is ensuring legal system is based on religious law, 5 year renewable terms, technically has judicial review, but cannot override Supreme Leader. Tool of Supreme Leader, rule by law.

China Judicial System

Tiered system, appointed by CCP, no judicial review, rule by law.