Study Notes on Presidentialism and Parliamentarism

Presidentialism

A model of government where the president and legislature are elected independently, the president appoints cabinet members (who can be fired unilaterally), and both have fixed terms not normally subject to early termination.

Parliamentarism

A model of government where the legislature is elected by the people, and the cabinet (including the Prime Minister) is chosen by and accountable to the parliament, often without fixed terms for the executive.

Hybrid Systems (Semi-Presidential)

Government systems that combine elements of both presidential and parliamentary systems, such as a directly elected president with a fixed term and a prime minister appointed by the president but accountable to the parliament (e.g., France's Fifth Republic).

Separation of Powers

A principle, exemplified in presidential systems, where governmental powers (legislative, executive, judicial) are divided among separate branches to prevent the concentration of power, as noted by Madison's concept of 'ambition countering ambition.'

Fixed Terms

Set durations for the terms of office for the president and legislature in presidential systems, generally not subject to early termination except through processes like impeachment.

Impeachment

An exception to fixed terms in presidential systems, requiring a supermajority in the legislature to remove a president from office.

Coalition Government

Formed in parliamentary systems when no single party achieves a majority, requiring two or more parties to negotiate and collaborate to form a government that commands a parliamentary majority.

Minimal Winning Coalition

A type of coalition government comprised of only the necessary parties to achieve a parliamentary majority, without any excess parties.

Surplus Majority Coalition

A type of coalition government that includes more parties than strictly necessary to achieve a parliamentary majority.

Minority Government

A government formed when a party or coalition does not hold a majority in parliament but maintains power through negotiations or other parliamentary strategies.

Cohabitation

A situation that can arise in semi-presidential systems when the president's political party does not control the parliament, necessitating negotiation and compromise within the government.