Ch. 5: Democratic Regimes

abstract review

Judicial review that allows the constitutional court to rule on questions that do not arise from actual legal disputes

bicameral system

A political system in which the legislature comprises two houses

civil liberties

Individual rights regarding freedom that are created by the constitution and the political regime

civil rights

Individual rights regarding equality that are created by the constitution and the political regime

civil society

Organizations outside of the state that help people define and advance their own interests

concrete review

Judicial review that allows the constitutional court to rule on the basis of actual legal disputes brought before it

constituency

A geographical area that an elected official represents

constitutional court

The highest judicial body in a political system that decides whether laws and policies violate the constitution

democracy

A political system in which political power is exercised either directly or indirectly by the people

electoral system

A set of rules that govern how votes are cast, counted, and translated into seats in a legislature

executive

The branch of government that carries out the laws and policies of a state

first past the post

An electoral system in which individual candidates compete in single-member districts; voters choose between candidates, and the candidate with the largest share of the vote wins the seat

head of government

The executive role that deals with the everyday tasks of running the state, such as formulating and executing policy

head of state

The executive role that symbolizes and represents the people both nationally and internationally

initiative

A national vote called by members of the public to address a specific proposal

judicial review

The mechanism by which courts can review the actions of government and overturn those that violate the constitution

legislature

The branch of government charged with making laws

liberal democracy

A political system that promotes participation, competition, and liberty and emphasizes individual freedom and civil rights

mixed electoral system

An electoral system that uses a combination of single-member districts and proportional representation

multimember district (MMD)

An electoral district with more than one seat

parliamentary system

A political system in which the roles of head of state and head of government are assigned to separate executive offices

presidential system

A political system in which the roles of head of state and head of government are combined in one executive office

proportional representation (PR)

An electoral system in which political parties compete in multimember districts; voters choose between parties, and the seats in the district are awarded proportionally according to the results of the vote

referendum

A national vote called by a government to address a specific proposal, often a change to the constitution

republicanism

Indirect democracy that emphasizes the separation of powers within a state and the representation of the public through elected officials

rule of law

A system in which all individuals and groups, including those in government, are subject to the law, irrespective of their power or authority

semi-presidential system

An executive system that divides power between two strong executives, a president and a prime minister

separation of powers

The clear division of power among different branches of government and the provision that specific branches may check the power of other branches

single-member district (SMD)

An electoral district with one legislative seat

unicameral system

A political system in which the legislature comprises one house

vote of no confidence

Vote taken by a legislature as to whether its members continue to support the current prime minister; depending on the country, a vote of no confidence can force the resignation of the prime minister and/or lead to new parliamentary elections