Executives, Chapter 8 Flashcards
Executive
the political institution responsible for overseeing the execution of laws and policies, and most often associated with the idea of national leadership
Head of state
the figurehead leader of a state, who may be elected or appointed, or - in the case of monarchs - inherit the position
Head of government
the elected leader of a government, who comes to office because of the support of voters who identify with their party or platform
Constitutional monarchy
a state headed by a monarch, but where the monarch’s political powers are severely limited by constitutional rules
Presidential executive
an arrangement in which the executive and the legislature are separately and directly elected, and have separate powers and responsibilities
Limited presidential executive
a presidential executive whose powers are limited by the constitution and by political realities
Separation of powers
an arrangement in which executive, legislature, and judiciary are given distinct but complementary sets of powers, such that neither can govern alone and should, ideally, govern together.
Parliamentary executive
an arrangement in which the executive emerges from the legislature (most often in the form of a coalition) and remains accountable to it, and must maintain a working legislative majority in order to remain in office
Cabinet
a body consisting of the heads of major government departments. Sometimes known as a council of ministers. More important in parliamentary than in presidential systems
Coalition government
an agreement in which a government is formed through an agreement involving two or more parties which divide government posts between them
Semi-presidential executive
an arrangement in which an elected president coexists with an appointed prime minister and separately elected legislature
