Task 7

Question 1

Constitutional presidents

Answer 1

are a feature of a parliamentary system

responsible for ceremonial duties eg figuerhead

the executive power is held by the cabinet or prime minister

Question 2

executive presidents

Answer 2

combine the the responsibilities of the head of state with those of the chief executive

basis of presidential government

may be limited or unlimited

Question 3

unlimited presidentialism

Answer 3

near unchecked powers

dictatorships

often exist in a one party state

Question 4

limited presidentialism

Answer 4

powers are limited by the constitution, political democracy, party competition

powers are also checked by publicly accountable assemblies

holds the power of patronage

is counterbalanced by congress

senate must ratify appointments and can ratify treaties and impeach the president if neccessary

Question 5

congress & president

Answer 5

congress often cuts some of the presidents legislative plans

congress can deny the president a course of action

if congress is dominated by opposing party president might not be able to get anything done by creating a gridlock

congress has the power of impeaching the president

Question 6

president & federal bureaucracy

Answer 6

exists to serve the president though it often acts as a constraint to the president

president appoints about 4000 members of the high and mid level of the administration

bureaucracy often acts in accordance to own interests

Question 7

supreme court & president

Answer 7

force president to shape the political agenda by exercising influence over him/her

Justices are appointed by the president but may be rejected by the senate

once a justice is appointed they can do what they want as they have tenure (unfireable)

Question 8

media & president

Answer 8

vital to presidents who need to appeal to the public through the media

media seeks the truth and is politically independent

Question 9

constraints on the prime ministers

Answer 9

does not have a free hand in hiring/firing

needs to maintain party and cabinet unity

primes ministers are only as powerful as the cabinet lets them be

Question 10

political executive

Answer 10

made of elected politicians

ministers are accountable to the assembly and must make policy in accordance with the priorities of the party they represent

Question 11

official executive

Answer 11

appointed civil servants

offer advice and administer policy

required to act politically unaffiliated

loyal to the minister

Question 12

how is political and bureaucratic executive blurred

Answer 12

senior civil servants have substantial influence in policy making

Question 13

presidential executives (USA)

Answer 13

president is the only elected official
cabineet members are appointed officicals
civil servants are temporary and politically partisan

Question 14

communist executives (china and ussr)

Answer 14

distinction is irrelevant due to the fact that its a one party system
chinese bureaucrats are ideologically commited supporters

Question 15

responsibilities and structure of executive branches

Answer 15

usually pyramid structure

tend to be centralized around the leadership of an individual

Question 16

status and responsibilities of the executive branches

Answer 16

head of state: office of formal authority and large symbolic importance

head of government: policy making and political responsibilities

separat in parliamentary systems

one and the same in executive presidential system

Question 17

role of executive in presidential system

Answer 17

president is the head of state and government

elected separately from the legislative branch

powerful and has veto powers

Question 18

role of executive in parlamentary system

Answer 18

prime minister is head of the government while the president is ceremonial head of state

derives power from the legislative branch

can be removed by vote of no confidence

Question 19

role of executive in semi-presidential system

Answer 19

combines elements of both presidential and parliamentary systems

executive includes both a president and minister with distinct roles

Question 20

presidential hierarchy

Answer 20

president
cabinet
advisory staff

Question 21

parliamentary systems hierarchy

Answer 21

prime minister
cabinet members
members of parliament
ceremonial head of state

Question 22

semi-presidential hierarchy

Answer 22

president
prime minister
cabinet members
members or parliament

Question 23

media & executive relationship

Answer 23

information dissemination: media serves as channel for the executive to communicate policies

to an extent hold the government/ executives accountable by reporting on government actions

executive utilizes the media to shape public opinion and garner support

Question 24

importance of leadership skills for the executive

Answer 24

decision making: executives must make informed and timely decisions
communication: effective communication is essential for conveying policies and building public trust
strategic vision: executives must have a clear vision in mind for the future and must be able to formulate it coherently to implement long-term strategies
crisis management: executive must remain composed and make decisive decisions