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Executive
The chief political power in a state, usually a president or prime minister
Parliamentary system
A system of government in which the executive and legislature are fused
Characteristics of a parliamentary system
The legislative branch holds a majority of the power
The majority party in the legislature gets to form the govt. and chooses the head of govt.
The majority party can select and/or remove cabinet members
The only elected officials are members of Parliament
UK has a parliamentary system
Prime minister
The head of government in a parliamentary and semi-presidential system, as well as a member of the legislature and the majority party
Coalition government
When two or more parties work together to form a majority and select a prime minister
Vote of no confidence
When a parliament votes to remove a government or official from power
Presidential system
A system of government in which the executive and legislature are elected separately and have independent powers
Characteristics of a presidential system
President and legislature are elected through direct elections
President is both Head of State and Head of Government
Legislature creates laws
Mexico and Nigeria have presidential systems
Divided government
When the legislature is controlled by a political party other than the party of the president
Semi-presidential system
A system of government that divides executive power between a directly elected president and a prime minister
Characteristics of a semi-presidential system
Prime minister and cabinet control legislation
Prime minister is appointed by the President
President is the elected Head of State
Russia has a semi-presidential system
Term limit
A restriction on the number of years an executive may serve
Term of office
A specific number of years that an executive can serve
Impeachment
The process of removing a president from office before the end of their term
Cabinet
The heads of major departments or ministries in the bureaucracy
Legislative oversight
The power of the legislature to hold cabinet officials and members of the bureaucracy accountable for the actions and policies
United Kingdom - Executive
Head of State: Monarch
Head of Government: Prime Minister
Members of Parliament are directly elected
Parliamentary sovereignty
Russia - Executive
Head of State: President
President is directly elected
Head of Government: Prime Minister
Prime Minister is appointed by the President
Prime Minister oversees civil service
Iran - Executive
Head of State: Supreme Leader
Self-appointed political and religious authority
Head of Government: President
President is directly elected for a 4-year term
Guardian Council is unelected and oversees legislation
Nigeria - Executive
Head of State/Government: President
President is directly elected for a 2-term, 4 year limit and serves as chief executive, commander-in-chief, and head of civil service
Cabinet in the Senate is appointed by the President
China - Executive
Head of State: President
President is commander-in-chief and secretary of the CCP
Head of Government: Premier
Premier is nominated by the President
Top leaders of the CCP determine top governing officials without input from the people, including the President
Mexico - Executive
Head of State/Government: President
President is directly elected and serves as chief executive, commander in chief, and head of the civil service
President appoints cabinet members to the Senate, though some need approval
Note 
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