Comparative Government - Vocabulary

Unit 2 Definition Example Presidential System a system of government in which the legislative and executive branches operate independently of each other. Nigeria has presidential system Parliamentary System Combine lawmaking and executive functions- fusion of powers. The UK has a parliamentary system Semi Presidential system An executive system that divides power between two strong executives, a president and a prime minister. Russia is a semi presidential system Executive having the power to put plans, actions, or laws into effect. The main person in power such as Putin in Russia Head of state The executive role that symbolizes and represents the people both nationally and internationally. They may or MAY NOT have policy making power. The Queen of England Head of government The executive role that deals with the everyday tasks of running the state The Premier in China and The president in Iran are the HOG Executive Term limit The amount of terms an executive can have authority A president in Russia can only serve 2 6 year terms Legislative System a deliberative assembly with the authority to make laws for a political entity House of Representatives and Senate in Nigeria are apart Bi cameral 2 house legislature The House of Commons and The House of Lords in the UK unicameral 1 house legislature The Guardian Council in Iran Judicial system the system of courts that interprets and applies the law in the name of the state The Supreme Court is an example Independent a justice system that is not influenced by either the judiciary legislative or executive branch The Supreme Court is an example in the UK Cabinet group of officials who head government departments and advise the President/Prime Minister The UK cabinet advises the Prime Minister Popular election An election taking place under universal suffrage A free election with the UK Policy a course or principle of action adopted or proposed by a government, party, business, or individual. A law Civil Service the permanent professional branches of a government's administration Any government job such as a mail service Judicial Review The power of the courts to declare laws unconstitutional Russia, Nigeria, and Mexico all have judicial review Civil liberties freedoms to think and act without government interference or fear of unfair legal treatment Freedom of Speech Civil rights Basic right to be free from discrimination Life and Liberty Political rights an individual's ability to participate in the civil and political life of the society and state without fear of discrimination or repression, and is tied closely to citizenship status. You civil rights and civil liberties Checks and balances A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power The Legislative being able to veto an executive action Fusion of power an alternative to separation of powers, combining or blending branches of government A parliamentary is a fusion of executive and legislative Explain how the executive in each country may be removed from office. Even if it is by paper only. UK The National legislature and remove the head of government and cabinet Russia Impeachment, A two-thirds vote of the Federation Council is required for removal of the president. If the Federation Council does not act within three months, the charges are dropped. China There really isn’t a way. Removals are decided by a simple majority vote by the NPC Iran A vote based by the majles and if voted on the president can be removed Nigeria Impeachment, The impeachment document must be supported by not less than two-thirds majority of all the members of each House Mexico Both houses have to vote on removing the President and what the justification for it is How is the cabinet different in a parliamentary system v presidential system? The cabinet in a presidential system is solely served to advise the president and has little independent authority. The cabinet in a parliamentary system is responsible for all government policy and has more authority. Compare Parliament v Presidential Positives of parliament- faster, less gridlock. Cons of a parliamentary system -Reduces the voice of minority parties -It encourages lower levels of direct representation -It encourages inconsistency Pros of a Presidential System -Stability -Checks and Balances -more powerful legislative capacity -More open Cons of a Presidential System -Gridlock -Limited level of Accountability -Runs risk of vesting all the authority -Could lead to tyranny Country Executive Power- Must knows UK Monarch-h/s ceremonial formally appoints PM the leader of the party coalition holding the largest number of seats in the House of Commons. The PM can call elections, sets foreign policy agenda, serves as commander in chief and chief executive over the civil service Russia PM- h/g, oversees civil service, President-h/s- commander in chief, appoints top ministers, conducts foreign policy, presides over the Duma (under certain conditions) China President-commander in chief, Chair of the Military Commission, General Sec. of the party. Nominates the premier- who serves as head of gov overssing civil service; changes in top leadership (behind closed doors) Iran SL- sets the political agenda, serves as commander in chief, appoints top ministers, the Expediency Council, half of the Guardian Council, and the head of the judiciary, The president- elected for up to 2 4yr terms, oversees the civil service, conducts foreign policy Nigeria President- h/s and h/g- chief executive, commander in chief, head of civil service, can approve domestic legislation and conduct foreign policy Mexico President- h/s and h/g- serves as commander in chief, leader of bureaucracy, approve domestic legislation, leads foreign policy; One term only Explain the Executive Term Limits for each country and how the Executive is elected in the boxes below UK The Queen is the HOS Traditional Monarchy The PM is the HOG Indirect Election Voted by majority party 5 year maximum term Russia The President is the HOS Majority run-off election 2 consecutive 6 year terms The Prime Minister is the HOG Appointed by President China The President is the HOS Indirect Election 2 consecutive 5 year terms The Premier is the HOG Appointed Iran The Supreme Leader is the HOS Chosen by the Assembly of Experts, Rules for life The President is the HOG Majority run-off elections 2 consecutive 4 year terms Nigeria President is both HOG and HOS Popular Vote Must get 25% or more in 2/3 of the states 4 year terms (can be elected to a second) Mexico President is both HOG and HOS Popular Vote Single 6 year term No re-election Advantages of term limits: ● Check executive power by and 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 (Mex 1 6 yr term) ● Impede policy continuity ● Weaken accountability (no reelections) ● Create lame duck period ● Prevent the officeholder from building experience as chief executive ● Can cause poorly designed policy Country uni/bicameral ? Structures and functions of the legislative system UK Bicameral Elected House of Commons-approves legislation, and the PM appointed by the majority party (and monarch), appointed House of Lords reviews and amends bills from the Commons, effectively delaying them- also a power check Russia Bicameral Elected state Duma, passes legislation and confirms the PM. Appointed Federation Council approves budget legislation, treaties, judicial nominees, and troop deployment. China Unicameral Party controlled- elected National People’s Congress that the constitution recognizes as the government's most powerful institution that elects the President, approves the premier, and legitimizes policies of the executive Iran Unicameral Theocracy- Majles is elected and holds the power to approve legislation, oversee the budget, confirm presidential nominees to the Cabinet. Acts under the supervision of the Guardian Council to ensure compatability with Islam and Sharia Law Nigeria Bicameral Elected upper house and lower chamber.(Senate and House of Rep) Both hold power to approve legislation, Senate can impeach and confirm appointments Mexico Bicameral Elected lower house (Chamber of deputies) approves legislation, levies taxes, and verifies outcomes of elections (ICF). The elected upper house (Senate) holds unique power to confirm presidential appointments to the Supreme Court, approve treaties, and approve federal intervention in state matters Legislatures have the potential to reinforce legitimacy and stability by ● Responding to public demand ● Openly debating policy ● Facilitating compromises between factions ● Extending civil liberties ● Restricting the power of the executive Judicial Systems Judiciaries in course countries have different functions and use various methods to appoint judges to interpret and apply laws and resolve disputes. Which countries have Judicial Review? Russia, Mexico, Nigeria UK The judicial system uses common law to enforce the rule of law; major functions of the Supreme Court includes its serving as the final court of appeals, protecting human/civil rights and liberties, and ruling on devolution disputes Russia The government uses the judicial system to target opposition, and although constitutionally the courts have the power of Judicial Review, this power has not been used to limit the authority of the governing branches. Judges are nominated by the president and approved by the Federation Council China Rule by Law (not rule of law) means the judicial system is subservient to the decisions of the Chinese Communist Party (CPC), which controls most judicial appointments Iran The judiciary’s major function is to ensure that the legal system is based on religious law, so judges must be trained in Islamic Sharia Law. The head of the judiciary is appointed by the SL and can nominate ½ of the Guardian Council with approval by the Majles Nigeria The judiciary has the power of Judicial Review, and an effort has been made to reestablish its legitimacy and independence by reducing corruption; under the system of federalism, Islamic Sharia Courts have been established in the north. In Nigeria, Supreme Court judges are recommended by a judicial council and are appointed by the president with confirmation by the Senate Mexico The judiciary is in transition- the Supreme Court has the power of Judicial Review and subsequent constitutional amendments have been implemented with the intent to make the system more independent and effective. Supreme Court magistrates are nominated by the president and approved by the Senate for a term of 15 years Explain the importance of independent judiciaries. They are important because it guarantees that judges are free to decide honestly and be unbiased. When in accordance with the law and evidence, the need to not have fear or concern within judging cases. Also to able to run freely away from the influence of other and being forced to rule in one particular way Independent Judiciaries The degree of the judiciary’s independence from other branches of government 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.