Unit 2: Political Institutions

Table of Contents

  • 2.1 Parliamentary, Presidential, and Semi-Presidential Systems

  • 2.2 Comparing Parliamentary, Presidential, and Semi-Presidential Systems

  • 2.3-2.5 Executive Systems, Executive Term Limits, and Removal of Executives

  • 2.6-2.7 Legislative Systems and Independent Legislatures

  • 2.8-2.9 Independent Judiciaries

Essential Questions

  • PAU-3.A What is the difference between parliamentary, presidential, and semi-presidential systems?

  • PAU-3.B Compare institutional relations among parliamentary, presidential, and semi-presidential systems.

  • PAU-3.C What are the structure, function, and change of executive leadership in the course countries?

  • PAU-3.D What is the procedure for the removal of executive leadership?

  • PAU-3.E Describe legislative structures and functions in the course countries.

  • PAU-3.F Explain how legislative powers are constrained by other institutions and/or processes, which can affect legislative independence.

  • PAU-3.G Describe the structure and functions of judiciaries.

  • PAU-3.H Explain the importance of independent judiciaries relative to other political institutions.

2.1 & 2.2: Parliamentary, Presidential, and Semi-Presidential Systems

  • Definition of Political Institutions: Organizations that create, enforce, and apply law. They are structures of a political system that carry out the work of governance. The same political institutions in different countries may have different powers.

  • Main Institutions: The three main branches include:

    • Executive: Enforces and executes laws.

    • Legislative: Crafts laws and major policies.

    • Judicial: Interprets law and hears cases.

    • Bureaucracy: Supports the branches and consists of non-elected officials (civil servants) who do essential administrative tasks.

Three Systems of Government

  • Types of Democracies:

    1. Presidential Systems: The executive is elected separately from the legislature.
      ex) Mexico, Nigeria, Iran

    2. Parliamentary Systems: The executive derives from the legislative branch and is dependent on its support.
      ex) UK, China

    3. Semi-Presidential Systems: Features both a President and a Prime Minister, each with varying powers and responsibilities.
      ex) Russia

2.3-2.5: Executive Systems and Checks on Executive Power

  • Executive Leadership Roles:

    • Head of State: Represents the nation in ceremonial functions, may have some formal powers on foreign policy.

    • Head of Government: Chief executive who formulates and implements policy.

  • Important Executive Roles:

    • Cabinet: Composed of ministers that advise the executive (President or Prime Minister).

    • Executive Powers: Vary based on the system of governance (e.g., stronger in presidential systems).

  • Term Limits: Discussed to prevent long-standing power, with the 22nd Amendment limiting U.S. Presidents to two terms.

  • Debate on Term Limits: Consideration on whether they strengthen or weaken state authority and legitimacy.

2.6-2.7: Legislative Systems

  • Legislative Branch: Unique in its powers compared to the executive branch.

  • Legislative Structures:

    • Unicameral: One chamber of representatives.

    • Bicameral: Two chambers with different powers—House of Representatives and Senate in the U.S.

    • Powers of Legislatures:

    1. Impeachment

    2. Taxation (Power of the Purse)

    3. Law-making (specific powers differ between the House and Senate).

  • Legislative Constraints: Institutions that affect legislative independence include executive veto power and judicial review.

2.8-2.9: Judicial Systems

  • Key Judicial Terms:

    1. Rule of Law: States should be governed by laws, not arbitrary decisions.

    2. Political Rights: Ability for individuals/groups to compete for power.

    3. Civil Rights: Protections for individuals against discrimination.

    4. Civil Liberties: Individual freedoms against government abuse.

  • Civil vs. Common Law:

    • Civil Law: Adherence to statutes; judges have limited discretion.

    • Common Law: Judges interpret laws; decisions set precedents.

  • Judicial Independence: Important for ensuring the rule of law is upheld; methods of ensuring independence vary by country.

  • Judicial Review: Ability of the judiciary to evaluate actions of legislatures and executives against the rule of law.

  • Supreme Court Selection in the U.S.: Involves nomination by the President, approval by the Senate, and serves for life to maintain independence.

  • Judicial Systems Across Countries:

    • Countries like Iran utilize Sharia Law and have limited judicial independence.

    • Other countries, such as Nigeria and the UK, have judicial systems that face different levels of checks from the legislative and executive branches.

Review of the Three Systems

  • Examination of multiple-choice questions and free response questions regarding the responsibilities and compositions of governments in various systems.

  • Preparation Tips: Include comparisons among the countries studied regarding executive, legislative, and judicial branches, limits imposed on governance, and implications of authority and power within political institutions.