All Flashcards
Parliamentary vs. Presidential: Separation of Powers?
Parliamentary: No separation of powers. Presidential: Separation of powers.
Parliamentary vs. Presidential: Executive Selection?
Parliamentary: Legislature chooses Prime Minister. Presidential: People directly elect the President.
Parliamentary vs. Presidential: Policy-Making Speed?
Parliamentary: Typically faster policy-making. Presidential: Potential for gridlock.
Parliamentary vs. Semi-Presidential: Executive Structure?
Parliamentary: Single executive (Prime Minister). Semi-Presidential: Dual executive (President & Prime Minister).
Presidential vs. Semi-Presidential: Executive Election?
Presidential: President directly elected. Semi-Presidential: President directly elected, Prime Minister appointed.
Democratic vs. Authoritarian: Citizen Input?
Democratic: Citizens have decision-making power. Authoritarian: Little citizen input.
Parliamentary vs. Presidential: Source of Executive Legitimacy?
Parliamentary: Derived from legislative majority. Presidential: Derived directly from popular election.
Presidential vs. Semi-Presidential: Potential for Conflict?
Presidential: Conflict between executive and legislative branches. Semi-Presidential: Conflict between President and Prime Minister.
Parliamentary vs. Presidential: Accountability of Executive?
Parliamentary: Executive accountable to legislature. Presidential: Executive accountable to the people (through elections).
Semi-Presidential vs. Presidential: Executive Power?
Semi-Presidential: Divided executive power. Presidential: Concentrated executive power.
Define Parliamentary System.
A system where the executive and legislative branches are fused.
Define Presidential System.
A system where the executive, legislative, and judicial branches are separate.
Define Semi-Presidential System.
A system where both a President and a Prime Minister co-exist.
Define Separation of Powers.
The division of governmental power among different branches (executive, legislative, judicial).
Define Fused Powers.
The merging of executive and legislative powers, typically in a parliamentary system.
Define Gridlock.
A situation where it is difficult to pass laws due to divided government or opposing viewpoints.
Define Authoritarian Regime.
A system where decisions are made by political elites with little citizen input.
Define Democratic Regime.
A system where citizens have greater decision-making power through elections.
Define Checks and Balances.
A system where each branch of government can limit the power of the other branches.
Define Devolution.
The transfer of powers and responsibilities from the federal government to regional governments.
Cause & Effect: Fused powers in parliamentary systems?
Cause: Fusion of executive and legislative branches. Effect: Faster policy-making, less gridlock.
Cause & Effect: Separation of powers in presidential systems?
Cause: Separation of powers. Effect: Checks and balances, potential for gridlock.
Cause & Effect: Fixed-term elections in the UK?
Cause: Fixed-term elections. Effect: Limits the Prime Minister's power to call snap elections.
Cause & Effect: Putin's Dominance in Russia?
Cause: Putin's dominance. Effect: Difficult to analyze semi-presidential system's function.
Cause & Effect: Authoritarian Nature of Russia?
Cause: Authoritarian nature. Effect: Difficult to directly compare with democratic systems.
Cause & Effect: Legislature rejects budget in Nigeria?
Cause: Senate rejected president's budget. Effect: Check on executive power.
Cause & Effect: Strong PM support in Parliament?
Cause: Strong PM support. Effect: Quicker policy implementation (e.g. UK devolution).
Cause & Effect: Regular Q&A sessions with the PM?
Cause: Regular Q&A sessions. Effect: Scrutiny from opposition and majority party.
Cause & Effect: Parliament censuring cabinet members?
Cause: Parliament censuring cabinet members. Effect: Check on the executive.
Cause & Effect: Devolution in the UK?
Cause: Strong support in Parliament. Effect: Quick implementation of devolution policies.