Major Constitutional offices Flashcards
What is patronage
The power to appoint persons to powerful & well salaried positions
What is constitutional?
derived from the constitution
Who is the head of state
The highest representative of an independent state
What would cause vacant of the head of state ?
- Death
- Retirement
- Dismissal
Who elects the President or Governor General in constitutional monarchies
- Prime Minister
Who elects the President in Parliamentary Republics ?
- They are voted for by the legislature after nomination by the prime minister
Can presidents be re-elected
Yes
How long can you be elected as a President in Barbados
4 years
How long can Head of States be elected in Presidential Republic ?
- 5 years
- can only serve 2 year terms
What are the duties of the Head of State ?
- representing the state on ceremonial occasions
- receiving ambassadors
- appoint the opposition
What are the functions of the Prime Minister?
- Controls the government and cabinet
- Responsible for the executive branch
What would cause vacant of the Prime Minister?
Losing a no confidence motion (when parliament says they don’t trust a particular leader anymore)
What are the sources of Prime Ministerial power ?
- Party
- Nation
- Legislature
What is primus inter pares ?
Where one person holds the position of leadership in a group & they agree on it
What are the limits to power as it relates to the Prime Minister?
- Regular elections
- No confidence motion
- Possesses no judicial authority
- Cannot dismiss appointed civil servants
