unit 2: political institutions

Political Systems

The structures and processes through which a government operates, including the branches of government.

Executive Branch

The branch of government responsible for implementing and enforcing laws, led by the head of government.

Legislative Branch

The branch of government that creates laws, typically consisting of elected representatives.

Judicial Branch

The branch of government that interprets laws and administers justice.

Checks and Balances

A system that ensures no one branch of government becomes too powerful by providing each branch with the means to limit the powers of the others.

Parliamentary System

A political system where citizens vote for the legislature, which then selects the executive; exemplified by the UK.

Presidential System

A political system where citizens vote separately for the executive and the legislature; exemplified by Mexico and Nigeria.

Semi-Presidential System

A political system where citizens vote separately for the executive and legislature, and the legislature and president nominate a prime minister; exemplified by Russia.

Head of State

The ceremonial leader of a state, often representing the country in diplomatic matters.

Head of Government

The leader who has actual control and makes decisions in government.

Executive Term Limits

Regulations that determine how long a person can serve as head of the executive branch and how many times they can be re-elected.

Pros of Executive Term Limits

Include checks on executive power, prevention of dictatorships, and opportunities for new ideas.

Cons of Executive Term Limits

Include potential for insufficient time to implement change and weakened political accountability.

Removal of Executives

The process by which executives can be removed from office, typically through elections or specific legislative actions.

Unicameral Legislature

A legislative body with a single chamber, as seen in China and Iran.

Bicameral Legislature

A legislative body with two chambers, as seen in Mexico, Nigeria, and the UK.

Independent Legislature

A legislature that operates free from the influence of other branches of government.

Non-Independent Legislature

A legislature that is influenced or controlled by other branches, as seen in China and Iran.

Judicial Review

The power of a court to determine the constitutionality of laws.

Rule of Law

The principle that laws should govern a nation, as opposed to arbitrary decisions by individual government officials.

Common Law

A legal system based on court decisions and precedents rather than written statutes.

Code Law

A legal system based on written laws that are codified and accessible.

Independent Judiciary

A judiciary that operates free from interference by the executive and legislative branches.

Civil Liberties

Fundamental rights and freedoms protected from government interference.

Democracy Maintenance

The role of an independent judiciary in upholding checks and balances, protecting rights, and maintaining the rule of law.