Topic 2: Political Institutions

Institutions

formal & informal rules that establish the gov’t, society, and economy

Parliamentary Systems

head of government derives legitimacy from majority confidence of legislature

Presidential Systems

head of gov’t derives legitimacy from people (or anything other than legislature).

head of gov’t controls executive branch

Semi-Presidential Systems

head of gov’t position is shared by president and prime minister.

president determined by people, prime minister determined by legislature.

Head of Government

individual who controls the government (can be 2 ppl)

Head of State

individual who represents the state, can be the same as the head of gov’t

Constitutional Court

a court that has judicial review

Judicial Review

the power constitutional review over legislation, regulation, and gov’t actions

aka are those things OK w/ the constitution, and do the branches in charge have constitutional power over those decisions?

Concrete Review

judicial review only happens when there is a legal dispute over constitutionality

Abstract Review

judicial review can happen whenever, including before a law goes into place

Common Law

traditions, norms accepted by the people

Code Law

written law, what is exactly stated