Government and Policymaking

Policymaking

The pivotal stage in the political process where bills become laws or decisions are issued by rulers.

Public policy

Decisions made by government officials that reflect the interests and demands of society.

Constitution

The supreme body of laws that establishes the rules of decision-making, rights, and distribution of authority in a political system.

Policymaking

Conversion of interests and demands into public policy

Decision rules

Determine what political resources are valuable and how to acquire and use resources

Statute

General laws passed by legislatures, not part of the constitution

Democratic system

Direct or indirect participation by pubic. “Government by the people”

Authoritarianism

A political system where power is concentrated in a single authority, often ignoring public participation.

Authoritarian regimes

Policymakers chosen by military councils, hereditary families, dominant political parties

Separation of Powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to prevent abuses of power.

Classic separation of powers theory

Argued that there are two forms of representative democratic government: presidential and parliamentary

The democratic presidential regime

Two separate branches of government— the executive and the legislative— separately elected by the people. Ultimate power to make laws and approve budgets resides with the legislature.

The parliamentary regimes

Executive and legislative branches much more interdependent. Only the legislative branch is directly elected.

Assemblies

Also known as legislatures or as parliaments. Can be either unicameral or bicameral

Committee structure

Organized arrangement that permits legislators to divide their labour and to specialize in particular issue areas.

Assembly functions

Deliberate, debate, vote on policies; control public spending; some have appointment powers; some serve as court of appeals

Chief Executive

The head of government, such as a president or prime minister, responsible for policymaking and implementation.

Structure of Chief Executive

Single or split— divided between effective power over policy, purely ceremonial role

Legislature

An assembly or body of representatives that is responsible for making laws.

Judicial Review

The power of courts to assess whether a law is in compliance with the constitution.

Cabinet

A collective decision-making body consisting of leaders of major departments in the executive branch. Typically let by the head of government

Majority single-party cabinet

When one party controls a parliamentary majority

Coalition Cabinet

A cabinet formed by multiple political parties that must cooperate to govern.

Minority cabinet

Governing parties must continually bargain with other parties to get policies adopted

Majority Vote

The principle that the side with more than half of the votes wins.

Bureaucracy

Refer to all systems of public administration but refers to a particular way of organizing such agencies

Functions of bureaucracy

Implementing and enforcing laws and regulations, may articulate and aggregate interests