Executive Term Limits

AP Comparative Government: Executive Term Limits & Removal - Your Night-Before Guide 🚀

Hey there, future AP Gov superstar! Let's make sure you're totally prepped for those questions on executive term limits and removal. We're going to break down Topics 2.4 and 2.5 so that everything clicks right into place. Let's do this! 💪

Executive Term Limits: Promoting Stability & Effective Policy 🏛️

This section is all about how long executives can stay in power and what impact that has. Remember, this is a that often shows up in FRQs, so pay close attention! We'll be focusing on the advantages and disadvantages of term limits in relation to political stability and effective policymaking. 💡

Key Terms 📇

• Executive Term Limits: Rules that restrict how long an executive can serve. Think of it like a timer on their time in office. ⏰
• Fixed Term Election System: Elections that happen on a set, pre-announced date. No surprises here! 📅

Term Limits in Our Course Countries 🗺️

Let's get this straight with a handy comparison chart:

Advantages and Disadvantages of Term Limits 🤔

Now, let's dive into the pros and cons. The CED wants you to understand how term limits affect political stability and the effectiveness of policies.

Advantages ✅

• Checks on Power: Prevents the rise of authoritarian leaders. 🛡️
• Focus on Governing: Encourages executives to focus on their job rather than reelection campaigns. 🎯
• Innovation of Ideas: Brings in new leaders with fresh perspectives. 💡

Disadvantages ❌

• Forces Out Good Leaders: Popular and effective leaders may have to leave office. 😔
• Insufficient Time for Policy: Complex policies may not be fully implemented. ⏳
• Impede Policy Continuity: New leaders may reverse previous policies. 🔄
• Weakens Accountability: Executives may be less accountable knowing their time is limited. 📉
• Lame Duck Period: Reduced influence as the end of the term approaches. 🦆
• Prevents Experience: Limits the ability of executives to gain experience. 🚫
• Poorly Designed Policy: Rushed policies due to time constraints. 🚧

Sample Argument FRQ ✍️

Here's a sample FRQ to show how these concepts might appear on the exam:

Different countries have different rules regarding executive term limits. Are executive term limits an effective constraint of executive power? In your response, be sure to address one of the following course concepts: democratic regimes, authoritarian regimes, political legitimacy.

Sample Response:

Executive term limits are not an effective constraint of power, because they don't effectively limit how much power the branch or an individual can gain over time. There is evidence of this particular claim in both a democratic regime, such as Mexico and an authoritarian regime like Russia.

In Mexico all Presidents can only serve, 1, 6-year term often referred to as the sexenio, and all Presidents have adhered to this term limit throughout the course of Mexican history. However, despite the term limit, the power of the office has continued to grow over time. An example of this power in Mexico is the President's ability to appoint or remove cabinet members and heads of executive branch employees without opposition.

In Russia, an example of an authoritarian regime where there is a 2 consecutive, 4-year term limit, Vladimir Putin's power has been unchecked. Putin, in fact, manipulated the system in 2008 moving from President to Prime Minister and back to President and the power of the office has only continued to grow under his.

Removal of Executives: Controlling Power Abuse ⛔

Now, let's shift our focus to how executives can be removed from office. This is crucial for understanding how power is checked and balanced in our course countries. ⚖️

The AP exam wants you to know how leaders are removed and how this process controls the abuse of power in each of course countries. 🥼

Key Concepts:

• Impeachment: A formal process of accusing an executive of wrongdoing. 🏛️
• Vote of No Confidence: A vote by the legislature to remove an executive. 🗳️
• Recall Election: A process that allows voters to remove an executive before their term is over. 🗳️

Final Exam Focus 🎯

Okay, let's wrap this up with the most crucial points for your exam:

• Term Limits: Know the specific term limits for each of the six course countries. Focus on how term limits affect stability and policy. 📝
• Removal Processes: Be familiar with the different ways executives can be removed (impeachment, vote of no confidence, etc.). 📝
• Argumentative FRQs: Practice making arguments about the effectiveness of term limits and removal processes. ✍️
• Connect Concepts: Be ready to connect term limits and removal to broader concepts like democratic and authoritarian regimes. 🔗

Last-Minute Tips ⏰

• Time Management: Don't spend too long on any one question. Keep moving and come back if you have time. ⏱️
• Read Carefully: Make sure you understand what the question is asking before you start writing. 🤔
• Use Examples: Always back up your arguments with specific examples from the course countries. 🌍

Practice Questions ❓

Okay, let's get some practice in! Here are a few questions to test your knowledge:

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following countries has a fixed-term election system? (A) Mexico (B) Russia (C) United Kingdom (D) Iran

2. Which of the following is an advantage of executive term limits? (A) It allows for policy continuity (B) It provides executives with more time to implement policy (C) It prevents the rise of authoritarian leaders (D) It ensures accountability of executives

3. Which country changed its constitution to allow the president to serve indefinitely? (A) Mexico (B) Nigeria (C) China (D) Russia

Short Answer Question

1. Briefly explain two disadvantages of executive term limits.

Free Response Question

• Prompt: Evaluate the effectiveness of executive term limits as a constraint on executive power. In your response, be sure to address one of the following course concepts: democratic regimes, authoritarian regimes, or political legitimacy. Use specific examples from at least two course countries to support your argument.

• Scoring Guidelines:

  • Thesis (1 point): A clear, defensible thesis statement that takes a position on the effectiveness of executive term limits.
  • Evidence (2 points): Provides specific examples from at least two course countries that support the argument.
  • Reasoning (2 points): Explains how the evidence supports the argument and connects it to the chosen course concept (democratic regimes, authoritarian regimes, or political legitimacy).
  • Complexity (1 point): Demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the topic by considering counterarguments or alternative perspectives.

You've got this! Go ace that exam! 🎉