POSC Module 2 and 3

Parliament

The legislative branch of government.

Lower House

Directly elected representatives, e.g., House of Commons.

Upper House

Members often appointed or hereditary, e.g., House of Lords.

Head of State

Ceremonial leader, may be elected or appointed.

Head of Government

Elected leader responsible for law-making.

Executive

Political institution executing laws and policies.

Presidential System

Executive independent from legislature, checks and balances.

Parliamentary System

Executive derives from legislature, depends on confidence.

Semi-Presidential System

Mix of presidential and parliamentary features.

Authoritarian Executive

Fewer constraints on executive power.

Descriptive Representation

Legislators reflect demographics of the population.

Collective Representation

Legislators represent national interests, not just districts.

Legislative Control

Legislatures check executive authority.

Incumbency Advantage

High re-election rates due to familiarity and funding.

Gerrymandering

Manipulation of electoral boundaries to favor a party.

Confidence of Legislature

Legislature's support is crucial for executive survival.

Political Elites

Wealthier, more educated individuals in politics.

Legislative Majority

Strong majority ensures government stability.

Legislators

Elected officials representing public interests.

Political Institutions

Structures governing political activities and power.

Checks and Balances

System preventing any branch from overpowering others.

Representation Forms

Different ways legislators connect with constituents.

National Leadership

Upper house often symbolizes national unity.

Sub-national government

Governance below national level, like states or municipalities.

Federal systems

Power constitutionally divided between national and regional governments.

Unitary systems

Central government holds ultimate authority over regions.

Multi-Level Governance (MLG)

Model where different government levels share power.

Decentralization

Distribution of authority from central to local governments.

Deconcentration

Shifting administrative tasks to regional offices.

Delegation

Granting authority to semi-independent local bodies.

Proportional representation

Electoral system ensuring diverse political participation.

Vote of confidence

Legislative vote to support or remove a prime minister.

Minority governments

Governments lacking majority support, prone to collapse.

Centralized decision-making

Policy decisions made by national government only.

National identity

Citizens identify with a single political community.

Efficient crisis response

Unitary systems can respond quickly to emergencies.

Brazil's COVID-19 response

Regional governments acted independently during national failures.

Head of government

Elected leader supported by voters and political party.

Figurehead leader

Ceremonial state leader, often symbolic in democracy.

Republic

Political system with elected or appointed government members.

Incumbents

Current officeholders, often have advantages in elections.

Party discipline

Enforcement of party loyalty among parliamentary members.

Electoral reforms

Changes to improve fairness in elections.

Legislative support

Necessary backing from legislature for executive survival.

Political participation

Engagement of citizens in political processes.

Constitutional monarchy

Monarch's powers are limited by constitution.

Presidential executive

Executive and legislature elected separately.

Separation of powers

Distinct branches of government operate independently.

Parliamentary executive

Executive linked to the legislature's majority party.

Majority government

One party holds a clear majority in legislature.

Coalition government

Multiple parties collaborate due to no majority.

Minority government

No party achieves majority; relies on agreements.

Cabinet

Council of ministers in parliamentary systems.

Semi-presidential executives

Combines presidential and parliamentary systems.

Authoritarian executives

Limited constitutional constraints on power.

Legislative control in parliamentary systems

Government depends on legislative majority support.

Legislative control in presidential systems

President elected separately from legislature.

Impeachment

Process to remove elected officials from office.

Recall elections

Citizens vote to remove elected officials.

Budget control

Legislature oversees government spending decisions.

Oversight mechanisms

Legislatures hold executives accountable for actions.

Question sessions

Parliamentary sessions for questioning government officials.

Interpellations

Formal inquiries to government in some countries.

Emergency debates

Legislative discussions on urgent issues.

Censure motions

Symbolic votes expressing disapproval of officials.

Unicameral legislatures

Single legislative chamber governing body.

Bicameral legislatures

Two chambers: lower house and upper house.

Weak bicameralism

Lower house holds more power than upper.

Strong bicameralism

Both chambers have significant legislative power.

Term Limits

Restrictions on how long legislators can serve.

Political Diversity

Encourages varied political representation and ideas.

Entrenched Political Elites

Long-standing politicians with significant power.

Special Interest Influence

Impact of organized groups on policy decisions.

Vote of Confidence

Legislative vote to support or remove a leader.

Minority Government

Government formed without majority legislative support.

Executive Accountability

Oversight of executive actions by the legislature.

Impeachment

Process to remove officials for misconduct.

Recall Election

Vote to remove an elected official before term ends.

Prime Minister's Question Time

Debate where PM answers legislators' questions.

Unicameral System

Legislature with a single legislative chamber.

Bicameral System

Legislature with two chambers, typically House and Senate.

Upper House

Second chamber in a bicameral legislature.

House of Review

Upper house reviews and refines legislation.

Decentralization

Distribution of power away from central authority.

Deconcentration

Redistributing administrative responsibilities within a government.

Delegation

Granting authority to lower levels of government.

Devolution

Transferring legislative power to regional governments.

Federalism

System where power is divided between national and regional governments.

Dual Federalism

Clear separation of powers between national and state governments.

Cooperative Federalism

National and state governments work together on policies.

Ethnic Federalism

Federal system based on ethnic divisions.

Local Government

Administrative bodies governing smaller political units.

Council System

Local governance by elected councils.

Mayor-Council System

Local governance with a directly elected mayor.

Unitary State

Centralized government with power concentrated nationally.

Federalism

Division of power between national and regional governments.

Bicameral Legislature

Legislative body with two separate chambers.

Cumul des mandats

Holding multiple political offices simultaneously.

Administrative Delegation

National ministries assign tasks to regional offices.

Political Autonomy

Self-governance for ethnic or regional groups.