Ch5 Government and the policy process Flashcards
Separation of powers, Montesquieu
Legislative
Executive
Judiciary
Trias politicas
Way for the state to organize its own opposition and critics, tough, but it reduces arbitrariness and lead to better governance
Legislative
Make laws
Executive
Enforces laws & governs the state
Judiciary
Ensures executive acts in accordance with the laws
Alternative governmental systems
- Unitary system
- Federal system
- Parliamentary system
- Presidential system
Unitary system
The lower levels of government are constitutionally subordinate to the national government, and receive their authority from central government
Federal system
The sub-national, state or provincial level of government is not subordinate to the national government but has substantial powers of its own which the national government cannot take away
Parliamentary system
The executive are also members of the legislature and chosen on the basis that the majority of the legislature supports them
Presidential system
The president or head of the state is directly elected in a separate process from the election of members of the legislature