Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of the impeachment process?
What is the primary purpose of the impeachment process?
- To empower the Parliament over the President
- To force a President into resignation for legal violations (correct)
- To elect a new President
- To promote legislative transparency
In the United States, how do citizens participate in electing the President?
In the United States, how do citizens participate in electing the President?
- By voting for electors who then elect the President (correct)
- By choosing the party candidates in a primary election
- By participating in congressional votes
- By voting directly for the President
What characteristic distinguishes Semi-Presidential systems from other forms of government?
What characteristic distinguishes Semi-Presidential systems from other forms of government?
- The Prime Minister must be a member of the legislature
- The Head of State is elected by the legislature
- There is both a Head of State and a Head of Government (correct)
- Presidents do not have fixed terms
How long is the fixed term for a President in the United States?
How long is the fixed term for a President in the United States?
What must a President in a Semi-Presidential system consider when choosing a Prime Minister?
What must a President in a Semi-Presidential system consider when choosing a Prime Minister?
Which of the following is true about the relationship between the President and the legislature in a Semi-Presidential system?
Which of the following is true about the relationship between the President and the legislature in a Semi-Presidential system?
What is a potential consequence of having a strong Presidential Executive system?
What is a potential consequence of having a strong Presidential Executive system?
What indicates the form of government and the effectiveness of democracy in a country?
What indicates the form of government and the effectiveness of democracy in a country?
What is one characteristic of all Parliamentary executive forms of government?
What is one characteristic of all Parliamentary executive forms of government?
Which statement accurately reflects the role of the head of state in a Parliamentary monarchy?
Which statement accurately reflects the role of the head of state in a Parliamentary monarchy?
How does the head of state in a Parliamentary republic typically participate in government?
How does the head of state in a Parliamentary republic typically participate in government?
What is a crucial element of the parliamentary form of government?
What is a crucial element of the parliamentary form of government?
What happens to a head of government in a parliamentary system if they lose a vote of no confidence?
What happens to a head of government in a parliamentary system if they lose a vote of no confidence?
In Presidential executive forms of government, how are the roles of head of state and head of government characterized?
In Presidential executive forms of government, how are the roles of head of state and head of government characterized?
What relationship exists between the President and legislative bodies in a Presidential system?
What relationship exists between the President and legislative bodies in a Presidential system?
What can be said about the head of government in a parliamentary system concerning elections?
What can be said about the head of government in a parliamentary system concerning elections?
Flashcards
Parliamentary Executive
Parliamentary Executive
A type of government where the executive branch (head of government) is responsible to the legislature (parliament) and can be removed by a vote of no confidence.
Head of State in Parliamentary Monarchy
Head of State in Parliamentary Monarchy
The Head of State in a Parliamentary Monarchy, like the UK, is a hereditary position, often a King or Queen, who serves for life.
Head of State in Parliamentary Republic
Head of State in Parliamentary Republic
The Head of State in a Parliamentary Republic, like Ireland or Italy, is elected by the Parliament, not directly by the people, and serves for a fixed term.
Relationship of Confidence
Relationship of Confidence
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Head of Government in Parliamentary System
Head of Government in Parliamentary System
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Presidential Executive
Presidential Executive
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Head of State vs. Head of Government
Head of State vs. Head of Government
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Popularly Elected Leaders
Popularly Elected Leaders
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Impeachment Process
Impeachment Process
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Semi-Presidential Executive System
Semi-Presidential Executive System
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Presidential Executive System
Presidential Executive System
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President's Consideration of Legislature
President's Consideration of Legislature
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Parliamentary Executive System
Parliamentary Executive System
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Authoritarian-presidentialism
Authoritarian-presidentialism
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Survival of Leaders
Survival of Leaders
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Democratic Process Strength
Democratic Process Strength
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Study Notes
Democratic Regime Types: Classification Framework
- Dispositional Properties: Elgie uses three characteristics to classify democratic regimes:
- Presence of a head of state and head of government (separate or combined)
- Whether incumbents are popularly elected
- Whether incumbents serve fixed terms
Parliamentary Executive
- Head of State and Government: Always has both, although their selection processes vary.
- Head of State: In monarchies, hereditary and lifelong; in republics, elected by parliament for a fixed term (e.g., 7 years in Italy), but not popularly elected.
- Head of Government: Technically not popularly elected, though election laws and political systems vary. Subject to a fixed term, but removal can occur via votes of no confidence if unable to maintain majority support. (Example: UK Prime Minister, with possible 5-year term, but also removal with loss of confidence, as with James Callaghan).
Presidential Executive
- Head of State and Government: Combined into one role, independent of the legislature.
- Relationship of Confidence: No formal relationship of confidence between the executive, political parties, or legislature (e.g., Congress in the US).
- Popular Election: Presidents are usually popularly elected, though the process can be indirect (e.g., US Electoral College).
- Fixed Term: Typically serve a fixed term (e.g., 4 years in the US), with limitations on re-election.
- Impeachment: The impeachment process (judicial) can play a political role, removing a president if deemed to have broken laws or abused power (example: Bill Clinton, Dilma Rousseff).
- Authoritarianism Risk : Can lead to authoritarian-presidentialism if the president has excessive power, notably in instances where they maintain corruptive relationships with the legislature (e.g., Peru, Turkey).
Semi-Presidential Executive
- Dual Executive: Combines elements of both presidential and parliamentary systems, having a "bicephalous" executive (e.g., President & Prime Minister in France).
- Head of State: Has executive powers, making decisions alongside the Prime Minister (e.g., Macron & Bayrou).
- Head of State Election: Directly elected by the people.
- Head of Government Selection: Chosen by the President, though requiring Parliament's support for government effectiveness (recent French examples).
- Fixed Terms: Both executive and legislature have fixed terms (e.g., 5 years), and Presidents often have a 2-term limit..
Analysis and Conclusion
- Comparing countries across these dispositional properties helps determine government type, leadership stability, democratic strength, and overall effectiveness.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the classification of democratic regimes, focusing on the characteristics that define parliamentary and presidential executives. Dive into the complexities of heads of state and government, their election processes, and terms of service.
