Presidential and Parliamentary Regimes (Week 8) Flashcards
What are the characteristics of a presidential system?
Presidential systems fall under the type of ‘Separation of Powers’ regimes. There is constitutional separation between legislature and the executive. A president exists and this president has a cabinet of senior politicians (elected or not elected). Head of government and head of state are fused in the office of the president. The presidency is essentially a “winner-take-all” position. There is a separate election for the president and the legislature; independent survival. The president and the legislators are elected for a fixed term. The president is elected directly by the voters.
What are the roles of presidents?
Presidents pick their cabinets, they chair cabinet meetings, they have legislative powers such as veto power, agenda power, and some have decree powers which are executive-made orders that have the force of law, despite not being passed through a legislature.
What are the characteristics of a parliamentary system?
Political systems with parliaments have the constitutional authority to bring down government. There are two positions in a parliamentary system: head of government (ex. Prime Minister) and head of state (President). The head of government is not chosen directly by the voters, but is drawn from the legislature. With parliamentary systems executive power is fused with legislative power. Parliament can dismiss the Prime Minister and the Cabinet by using a non-confidence procedure. Legislative elections also mean how voters choose their government.
What are ways that governing in parliamentary systems work?
The part of the Prime Minister holds a majority: powerful executive.
Or
The party of the Prime Minister does not hold a majority: coalition necessary making governance more complex
What is a coalition?
A group of two or more political parties that governs by sharing executive power and responsibilities.
How does voting work in presidential and parliamentary governments?
In presidential governments, voters elect the Legislature and the Chief Executive who is part of the Executive Branch. The legislature and executive are independent and coequal.
In Parliamentary governments, voters elect the Legislature. The Chief Executive is drawn from the Legislature.
How are presidential regimes different from parliamentary ones?
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How do presidential systems govern?
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How is parliamentary government formed?
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How are prime ministers removed and what are the different ways to do so in parliamentary regimes? (Use Thatcher as an example)
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What are the distinctions between Parliamentary and Presidential Democracies (comparison slide)?
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Compare US president and the UK Prime Minister
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What are semi-presidential systems?
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How do semi-presidential systems combine elements of parliamentary and presidential systems? (Use France example in detail)
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Why is Germany not considered semi-presidential?
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