#AP Comparative Government: Legislative Branch Study Guide 🏛️

Hey there, future AP Comp Gov expert! 🎉 Let's dive into the legislative systems of our six course countries. This guide is designed to be your go-to resource for a quick, effective review the night before the exam. We'll make sure you're not just memorizing facts, but truly understanding how these systems work. Let's get started! 🚀

#Overview of Legislative Systems

The legislative branch is crucial; it makes the laws that shape a country. Let's break down the key terms and then see how they apply in our course countries.

#Key Terms 📇

Unicameral: 1️⃣ chamber in the legislature. Think of it as a single lane highway. 🛣️
Bicameral: 2️⃣ chambers in the legislature. Imagine a two-lane highway with traffic going in both directions. 🚦
Parliamentary Hybrid: A system where the President is directly elected but the Prime Minister is appointed by the legislature (specifically Russia 🇷🇺). It's like a car with both automatic and manual transmission. 🚗

#Benefits of Each System

#Unicameral (🇮🇷 🇨🇳)

Simplicity: One set of rules makes it easier for the public to engage. 🧩
Efficiency: Less duplication of work and fewer disagreements. 💨
Cost Savings: Smaller staff and fewer resources needed. 💰
Accountability: Easier to hold candidates responsible without a second chamber. 🧐

#Bicameral (🇬🇧 🇳🇬 🇲🇽)

Checks and Balances: Reduces the chance of power abuse. ⚖️
Diversity of Viewpoints: Represents a wider range of backgrounds. 🌍
Greater Representation: Different chambers can represent different groups. 🗣️
Stability: Less likely to have drastic changes, providing predictability. ⚓

#Parliamentary Hybrid (🇷🇺)

Stability: President and PM can check each other. 🛡️
Responsiveness: More likely to address public concerns with both a PM and President. 👂

Key Concept

Remember, the choice of system impacts the balance of power and the way laws are made.

#Course Country Examples 🌐

Let's explore each country's legislative system, focusing on structure and function. Remember, we're looking for how each system is set up and what it actually does.

#1. United Kingdom 🇬🇧

System: Parliamentary, Bicameral

https://www.needpix.com/photo/1318846/britain-british-politics-political-system
Structure:
- House of Lords 🏠🤵🏻: Not directly elected. Composed of hereditary peers (very few now) and life peers (appointed for distinguished service). Think of it as the old guard. 👴
- House of Commons 🏠👨🏽: Directly elected. The majority party selects the Prime Minister. It's the heart of UK politics. ❤️
Function:
- House of Lords: Can delay legislation and debate technicalities. Limited power. ⏳
- House of Commons: The seat of power. Passes laws and holds the executive accountable. 💪

Exam Tip

Remember the 1911 and 1949 Parliamentary Acts, which significantly reduced the House of Lords' power.

#2. Russia 🇷🇺

System: Parliamentary Hybrid, Bicameral
Structure:
- State Duma (Lower House): Directly elected, uses proportional representation and single-member districts. Represents the people. 🙋
- Federation Council (Upper House): Appointed by regional governors and legislatures. Represents the regions. 🏘️
Function:
- State Duma: Passes laws, confirms presidential appointees, approves the budget. Similar to the US House. 📝
- Federation Council: Represents regions, but has limited power. Can be overridden by the Duma. 🤷

Common Mistake

Don't confuse Russia's system with a purely parliamentary one. The directly elected President and the power of decree are key.

#3. Iran 🇮🇷

System: Theocratic, Unicameral
Structure:
- Majles: Directly elected, 290 seats, single-member districts. 🗳️
Function:
- Majles: Enacts/changes laws (with Guardian Council approval), interprets laws, appoints some Guardian Council members, approves budgets, treaties, and loans. However, power is limited by the Supreme Leader and the Guardian Council. 🗝️

Pay close attention to the role of the Guardian Council in Iran, as it significantly impacts the Majles's power.

#4. Mexico 🇲🇽

System: Presidential, Bicameral
Structure:
- Chamber of Deputies (Lower House): Directly elected, 500 members (single-member districts and proportional representation). ⬇️🏠
- Senate (Upper House): Directly elected, 128 members (from states and proportional representation). ⬆️🏠
Function:
- Chamber of Deputies: Verifies elections, levies taxes, approves legislation. 📝
- Senate: Confirms presidential appointments, approves treaties, federal intervention in state matters, and passes legislation. 💪

Quick Fact

Mexico's legislature is very similar to the U.S. Congress, making it easier to remember.

#5. China 🇨🇳

System: Unicameral, Communist Party Controlled
Structure:
- National People's Congress (NPC): Unicameral, directly elected (but controlled by the CCP). 🏠
Function:
- NPC: Chooses the President and VP (but only one party-sponsored candidate), announces Politburo decisions. Limited power, serves to legitimize party decisions. 📣

Memory Aid

Think of the NPC as a rubber stamp for the CCP. It's there to make the party's decisions look official. 📜

#6. Nigeria 🇳🇬

System: Presidential, Bicameral
Structure:
- House of Representatives (Lower House): Directly elected, 360 members (single-member districts, plurality). ⬇️🏠
- Senate (Upper House): Directly elected, 109 members (3 from each state, 1 from the capital). ⬆️🏠
Function:
- House of Representatives and Senate: Pass legislation. 📝
- Senate: Impeaches the President, confirms presidential appointees. 💪

#Final Exam Focus 🎯

Okay, you've made it through all six countries! Here's what to focus on for the exam:

High Priority Topics:
- Structure and function of each legislature.
- How the electoral system impacts representation.
- The balance of power between the legislative and executive branches.
Common Question Types:
- Multiple Choice: Expect questions that test your knowledge of specific details about each country's legislature.
- Short Answer: Be prepared to compare and contrast the legislative systems of different countries.
- Free Response: You might need to analyze the impact of a particular legislative structure or evaluate the effectiveness of a specific legislative body.
Last-Minute Tips:
- Time Management: Don't spend too much time on one question. Move on and come back if you have time.
- Common Pitfalls: Avoid vague answers. Be specific and use examples.
- Strategies: Read the questions carefully and make sure you understand what they are asking before you start writing. Use your knowledge of the course countries to support your answers.

Exam Tip

When comparing countries, focus on the key differences and similarities in their legislative structures and functions.

#Practice Questions

Here are some practice questions to get you warmed up for the exam:

Practice Question

#Multiple Choice Questions

Which of the following best describes the legislative branch in the United Kingdom? (A) Unicameral with a directly elected body (B) Bicameral with an appointed upper house and directly elected lower house (C) Bicameral with both houses directly elected (D) Unicameral with an appointed body
In which country does the legislature have the power to remove cabinet members but not the president? (A) Russia (B) China (C) Iran (D) Nigeria
Which of the following is a key function of the Senate in Mexico? (A) Confirming presidential appointments to the Supreme Court (B) Approving the national budget (C) Initiating all legislation (D) Directly electing the president

#Free Response Question

Prompt: Compare and contrast the legislative branches of the United Kingdom and Nigeria. In your response, be sure to discuss the structure of each legislative branch, the powers of each chamber, and the relationship between the legislative and executive branches in each country.

Point-by-Point Scoring Breakdown:

Point 1: Correctly identifies the UK as having a bicameral legislature with the House of Lords and House of Commons.
Point 2: Correctly identifies Nigeria as having a bicameral legislature with a Senate and House of Representatives.
Point 3: Accurately describes the structure of the House of Lords (hereditary and life peers) and the House of Commons (directly elected).
Point 4: Accurately describes the structure of the Nigerian Senate (equal representation from states) and House of Representatives (single-member districts).
Point 5: Explains the limited power of the House of Lords to delay legislation and the primary power of the House of Commons.
Point 6: Explains the powers of the Nigerian Senate (impeachment, confirmation) and the House of Representatives (legislation).
Point 7: Describes the parliamentary relationship in the UK where the Prime Minister is selected by the majority party in the House of Commons.
Point 8: Describes the presidential system in Nigeria where the executive is separate from the legislature.