governments & parliaments Flashcards
head of government in parliamentary systems
head of government and the cabinet are dependent on confidence of parliament and can be dismissed any time
head of government in presidential systems
head of government and the state is independent - cannot be dismissed from office and enjoys fixed terms
what does executive is “collegial” mean?
in parliamentary systems, the consists of the prime minister and the cabinet
what’s the status of ministers in a presidential system?
the executive is steered by one person; members of the exec serve as advisors
head of state is…
monarch, or president (in practice, most of monarchs and presidents perform ceramonial functions)
what are the ceremonial functions of a head of state?
- symbolic (unity in a war)
- procedural (opens session of parliament)
- diplomatic
only way you can remove a head of government in a presidential system?
impeachment
presidential system advantages
provides stability exec is democratically elected the legislature can fully legislate limited government strong leadership
presidential system disadvantages
danger of deadlock btw exec and leg
fixed terms make for a rigid system
favours poor chief executives
too much focus on one person
semi presidential system
- a directly elected president (head of state)
- prime minister and cabinet answerable to the legislature
- dual executive (both pm and president cooperate)
which country gave us semi presidentialism?
france
legislature same color as president….
system turns into presidentialism (pm will be inferior)
legislature diff color president…
shifts towards parliamentarism, pm has an upper hand
cohabitation
problems that arise when legislature and president are different colors.
two types of governments in parliamentary systems
single party
coalition (decided after election through negotiations)
golden rules for coalition formation
- control majority of seats in parliament
- not include unnecessary partners
- have policy agreement
3 ways in which golden rules of coalition rules are broken
- minority governments (opposition might be so divided that it makes no sense to make a majority- no threat) OR to make policy concessions - chooses to stay in opposition to ask for concessions
- including more parties than necessary
(adds more legitimacy; creates stronger buffer against revolts of MPs; enhances policy connection) - coalitions aren’t always connected
policy - seeking parties
no compromises to be in a coalition
office- seeking parties
being in government is important (they are willing to change policies just to be involved)
