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The assessment will solely be MCQ, and it will test you on vocabulary as well as minor applications of countries, including their political system, state characteristics, and term limits.
executive
The chief political power in a state, usually a president or prime minister
Bureaucracy
An organization with a hierarchical structure and specific responsibilities intended to enhance efficiency and effectiveness
legislature
A group of lawmakers that passes laws and represents citizens
judiciary
The system of courts that interprets the law and applies it to individual cases
parliamentary system
combine the lawmaking and executive functions, which allows the national legislature to select and remove the head of government and cabinet; A system in which the executive and legislature are fused
key word: UNIFIED
HOG: prime minister
HOS: front-facing person speaking internationally; engaging in foreign affairs and military
if it’s a democracy and there’s a monarch the monarch is ceremonial, a “rubber stamp” (passing along what the legislation has created)
minority party had a PM waiting in the wings and cabinet positions ready for the moment that the majority party is no longer the majority party
prime minister
The prime minister is the head of government in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. In a parliamentary system, the prime minister is a member of the legislature and is selected by the majority party
coalition government
A temporary governmental system formed by opposing parties to work together, usually in a time of crisis, such as a war
member of parliament
A representative in the legislature elected by citizens
all members of parliament (MPs) are up for election at the same time - dissolve the parliament
vote of no confidence
In parliamentary systems, a vote by parliament to remove a government from power
presidential system
A system in which the president is constitutionally separated from the legislature
separation of powers
The defining characteristic of a presidential system; a division of power among the major branches of government
divided government
One or both houses of the legislature are controlled by a political party different from the party of the president
semi-presidential system
a country has a president, prime minister, and cabinet; feature separate popular elections for the president and for the national legislature, allowing the president to nominate a prime minister (who must be approved by the legislature); members of the cabinet are held accountable by both the president and legislature.
term limit
Number of times an individual can run for or be appointed to an office
term of office
A specific amount of time in which an individual serves in a position of authority, mostly in the government
impeachment
The process of removing a president from office before the end of his or her term
cabinet
The heads of major departments, or ministries, in the bureaucracy
legislative oversight
Also known as Congressional oversight, legislative oversight is a fundamental component of checks and balances. The legislative branch reviews and monitors the executive branch
unicameral legislature
Consists of one house. An advantage is that it can pass policies quickly because bills don't have to go through the houses to become a law
common law
A legal system in which previous written opinions serve as precedent for future cases
code law
Judges follow the law that legislators make, instead of following previous cases (precedent); synonymous with common law
judicial independence
When judges make determinations only on the basis of law, not on the basis of what anyone else wants. In other words, judicial independence is part of the practical realization of “rule of law” instead of “rule by law.”
Independent judiciaries can strengthen democracy by maintaining checks and balances, protecting rights and liberties, establishing the rule of law, and maintaining separation of powers.
depends on the amount of authority the courts have to overrule executive and legislative actions, the process by which judicial officials acquire their jobs, the length of judicial terms, the professional and academic backgrounds that judicial officials are expected to have, and the processes used to remove judges from their posts.
system of governance, term limit, executive, in China
weird presidential system
President
can serve unlimited terms if approved by the NPC
5 years per term
Premier
can serve unlimited terms if approved by the NPC
5 years per term
General Secretary of CCP
system of governance, term limit, executive in Iran
theocratic presidential system
Supreme Leader - none
President: 2 4 year terms
system of governance, term limit, executive in Mexico
presidential system
President
1 6 year term
system of governance, term limit, executive in UK
parliamentary system
Monarch
unlimited
Prime Minister
5 years per term but no term limits
system of governance, term limit, executive in Nigeria
presidential system
President
2 4 year terms
system of governance, term limit, executive in Russia
semi-presidential system
President
2 6 year terms
Prime Minister
6 year terms
advantages of term limits
they check executive power by
inhibit the emergence of dictators and personality rule
help to focus the officeholder on governing rather than winning elections
provide opportunities for new leaders with new ideas, policies, or goals.
disadvantages of term limits
they force good executives to leave office
allow insufficient time for an officeholder to achieve goals;
impede policy continuity;
weaken accountability;
create a lame-duck period for the officeholder;
prevent the officeholder from building
experience as chief executive;
can cause poorly designed policy.
process of impeachment in Iran
President can be removed by Supreme Leader, Assembly of Experts can remove Supreme Leader
What countries use common law
UK and Nigeria
What countries use Sharia law
Iran and Nigeria
What countries use code law
Russia, Mexico, China
Note
Flashcard