Glossary
Bureaucracy
A system of administration composed of non-elected officials who implement government policies and deliver public services.
Example:
When a citizen applies for a passport, they interact with the bureaucracy of the government, which processes applications according to established rules.
Executive Branch
The part of government responsible for enforcing laws, managing the bureaucracy, and often proposing policies.
Example:
The President of Nigeria, along with their cabinet, forms the executive branch, tasked with implementing national policies and overseeing government agencies.
Judicial Branch
The part of government responsible for interpreting laws, resolving legal disputes, and ensuring justice.
Example:
When a court in Iran rules on the constitutionality of a new law, it is exercising the power of the judicial branch.
Legislative Branch
The lawmaking body of a government, typically composed of elected representatives in a parliament or congress.
Example:
China's National People's Congress, though largely ceremonial, is technically the legislative branch responsible for enacting laws.
Legitimacy
The degree to which the population accepts and believes in the government's right to rule and exercise authority.
Example:
When citizens widely participate in elections and trust the outcomes, it contributes to the legitimacy of their government.
Parliamentary System
A political system where the legislative branch (parliament) chooses the executive (prime minister), making the executive accountable to the legislature.
Example:
In the United Kingdom, if the ruling party loses a vote of no confidence, the prime minister and their cabinet might have to resign, demonstrating how the legislature controls the parliamentary system executive.
Policymaking
The process by which governments create and implement decisions and actions to address public issues and achieve societal goals.
Example:
The process of drafting a new environmental protection law and then establishing agencies to enforce it is an example of policymaking.
Presidential System
A political system where the executive (president) is separate from the legislative and judicial branches, serving as both head of state and head of government.
Example:
In Mexico, the president is directly elected by the people for a fixed term, operating independently of the legislature in a presidential system.
Semi-Presidential System
A hybrid political system combining elements of both parliamentary and presidential systems, featuring both a president and a prime minister with distinct roles.
Example:
Russia's political structure includes a powerful president and a prime minister, where power is shared and sometimes contested, characteristic of a semi-presidential system.
Stability
The ability of a political system to maintain order, avoid chaos, and endure over time without frequent or violent changes.
Example:
A government that consistently avoids coups, widespread protests, or frequent changes in leadership demonstrates high stability.