COGO Unit 2-4

Parliamentary Systems

A system of government where the executive branch derives its legitimacy from, and is accountable to, the legislature (parliament).

Presidential Systems

A system where the president is both head of state and head of government, and is elected independently of the legislature.

Semi-presidential Systems

A system with both a president and a prime minister, where executive power is shared between them.

Head of State

The symbolic representative of a country (e.g., monarch or president), often focused on national unity and ceremonial duties.

Head of Government

The person who runs the executive branch and government operations (e.g., prime minister or president in presidential systems).

Coalition Government

A government formed by multiple political parties cooperating because no single party has a majority.

Member of Parliament (MP)

An elected representative who serves in the legislature.

Vote of No Confidence

A parliamentary vote that can remove a government or prime minister if they lose majority support.

Unicameral Legislature

A legislative system with only one chamber or house.

Common Law

A legal system based on court decisions and precedent rather than only written codes.

Code Law

A legal system based on comprehensive written legal codes and statutes.

Judicial Independence

The principle that courts and judges operate free from political pressure or interference.

Electoral Systems

The rules and methods used to translate votes into political representation.

Mandate

The authority granted to a government or leader by voters to implement policies.

Run-off election

A second election held when no candidate achieves the required majority.

Single-Member District System

An electoral system where one representative is elected per district.

Multi-member District System

An electoral system where more than one representative is elected per district.

Plurality

An election outcome where the candidate with the most votes wins, even without a majority.

“First-past-the-post” Electoral System

A plurality system where the highest vote-getter in a district wins.

Proportional Representation Systems

Electoral systems where seats are allocated based on the percentage of votes each party receives.

Mixed System

An electoral system combining elements of plurality/majoritarian and proportional representation systems.

Party System

The structure of political parties competing within a political system.

One-party States

Political systems where only one political party is legally allowed to hold power.

Dominant Party Systems

Systems where multiple parties exist, but one party consistently dominates elections.

Two-party system

A system where two major parties dominate political competition and government control.

Multi-party system

A system where several political parties compete and share political power.

Catch-all parties

Political parties that aim to attract a broad range of voters across different social groups and ideologies.

Pluralism

A political system where multiple groups and interests coexist and compete for influence.

Corporatism

A system where major interest groups (like labor and business) are formally integrated into policy-making.

Single-peak Association

An organization structure where one central association represents all members of a sector or interest group.

National Action Party (PAN)

A major conservative political party in Mexico, historically associated with pro-business and market-oriented policies.

Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD)

A center-left political party formed from a split in the PRI, traditionally focused on social democracy and reform.

National Regeneration Movement (MORENA)

A left-wing political party founded by Andrés Manuel López Obrador, currently one of Mexico’s dominant parties.

Cabinet Heads

Senior officials who lead government ministries (secretaries in Mexico) and advise the president.

Sexenio

The six-year, single-term limit for the Mexican president, with no re-election allowed.

Non-governmental Organization (NGOs)

Independent groups that operate outside the government to promote social, political, or humanitarian goals.

Chamber of Deputies

The lower house of Mexico’s Congress, responsible for initiating legislation and approving budgets.

Mexican Senate

The upper chamber of Mexico’s Congress, representing federal states.

Civil Society

The collection of non-governmental organizations and institutions that represent citizens’ interests.

El Dedazo

Informal practice (historically in the PRI) where the outgoing president selected his successor.

Zapatista Rebellion

Zapatista Uprising An armed indigenous uprising in Chiapas demanding land reform and indigenous rights.

NAFTA

A trade agreement between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico that reduced trade barriers.

Ejido Rights

Communal land ownership system in Mexico granting rural communities shared agricultural land use rights.

Monarch

Monarch of the United Kingdom The ceremonial head of state in the UK.

Prime Minister

The head of government who leads the executive branch in the UK.

House of Commons

House of Commons The elected lower chamber of the UK Parliament.

House of Lords

The upper chamber of the UK Parliament, composed of appointed and hereditary peers.

Supreme Court

The highest judicial authority in the UK.

Labour Party

A center-left political party in the UK focused on social democracy and workers’ rights.

Conservative Party

A center-right political party in the UK emphasizing free markets and traditional institutions.

Dual Executive

A system where executive power is shared between a president and a prime minister.

Duma

The lower house of Russia’s Federal Assembly.

Federation Council

The upper house of Russia’s legislature representing federal regions.

Constitutional Court

The court that reviews laws for constitutionality in Russia

Concrete Review / Abstract Review

Judicial review methods: concrete review examines laws in actual cases; abstract review evaluates laws without a specific case.

United Russia Party

The dominant political party supporting the current Russian government.

National Assembly

Nigeria’s bicameral legislature (Senate and House of Representatives).

National Judicial Council

(Nigeria) The body responsible for overseeing judicial appointments and discipline.

People’s Democratic Party (PDP)

A major Nigerian political party that dominated early post-military rule politics.

All Progressives Congress (APC)

The current major ruling party in Nigeria.

North-south alternation principle

Informal political arrangement in Nigeria alternating presidential power between northern and southern regions.

National Party Congress

National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party The top party meeting that sets major policy direction.

Politburo

Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party A top decision-making body of the Communist Party.

Politburo Standing Committee

The highest leadership group in China’s political system.

General Secretary

The top leader of the Chinese Communist Party.

People’s Liberation Army

China’s unified military forces under Communist Party control.

Premier

Premier of the People's Republic of China The head of China’s State Council and chief administrator of government.

State Council

State Council of the People's Republic of China The central government executive body of China.

National People’s Congress

China’s national legislature, formally the highest state organ.

Supreme Leader

The highest political and religious authority in Iran.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps

A powerful military and political force protecting Iran’s Islamic system.

Bonyads

Large state-linked charitable foundations in Iran controlling significant parts of the economy.

Guardian Council

Body in Iran that vets candidates and reviews legislation for Islamic conformity.

Expediency Council

Advisory body in Iran that resolves disputes between parliament and the Guardian Council.

The Majles

Islamic Consultative Assembly (Iran) Iran’s national legislature.

Assembly of Experts

(Iran) Body of clerics responsible for selecting and overseeing the Supreme Leader.

Reformist Parties / Conservative Hardliner Parties / Candidates

Political factions in Iran competing over the interpretation and direction of the Islamic Republic.

Ideological Factions

Groups within Iran’s political system divided by religious, political, and policy interpretations.

Green Movement

(Iran) A protest movement that emerged after the disputed 2009 Iranian presidential election.