When we look at varying systems of government, we look at if they have things such as:
- National gov't, State/ local systems, supranational govt.
- There are many ways of decentralizing/centralizing govnernment power.
Decentralize power federally
- Federalism - significant powers (taxes, making laws) are granted to regional - subnational governments, usually defined in a constitution.
- States can't do away with national powers, vice versa
Involve a Unitary system
- Unitary - (all government power) in national government, local governments have limited authority.
- System w/o significant state powers, mostly National.
- Unitary (unlike federal) central government may devolve powers.
- Devolution - i.e. National government can let local city governments decide real estate taxes (devolving powers to locales)
- National government may take power back at any time (not constitutionally locked)
Is this country part of a supranational system (i.e. European Union)
How is the country's executive branch
There is some variation between the executive gov'ts.
- i.e. single executive (prime minister or presidential). Both are very different.
- Some may include both types of single-executive gov't.
Executive branch may hold two roles.
- Head of state - Represents the country (people of the national or international level). Articulates goals of their Regime.
- Head of Government - Runs the state day to day (policy execution. Keeps gov't going)
When looking at a government with a separation, expect a prime minister
- Prime Minister -an elective member of the legislature, locally (parliament)
- Normally chooses head of party with the most seats.
- Because the Cabinet of the Prime Minister is largely formed by the Prime Minister's political party, the head of state will have a president/monarch.
- i.e., The U.K head of state is a queen.
Contrasting, some (mexico, U.S.) forge roles of the heads into a one office (presidential) system.
- Usually has a directly elected president.
- President has domestic, international, and symbolic powers.
Pros/Cons of President vs Prime minister
Pro's of a Prime Minister
- Prime minister is elected through legislature. If so, then executive and legislative conflict is largely reduced. It is hard to have a divided government.
- Party can change Prime Minister easily.
- Prime minister can get the legislation passed quickly.
- "Vote-of-Confidence" system by legislature, resulting in a new Prime Minister.
- If prime minister party runs out of favor, the parliament can go against Prime Minister's legislature, dissolving parliament.
Con's of a Prime Minister
- Lack of separation between branchis is dangerous (much like a king). Too much power in one person
- Both executive and legislature controlled by some party.
- Also, system with lots of parties (6-8) need coalitions (shaky, many fall apart).
Pro's of a President
- Most countries have "direct mandate from people"
- He/she serves a fixed term.
- Legislature can't remove president unless a law is broken (impeachment).
- No "vote of confidence"
- Some argue it is more democratic.
Con's of a President.
- Combining "heads" may create too much power; limits competition and ideas. Threatens democracy, coupled with difficulty removing president.
- Because of separation of powers, there is a possibility of divided government
- Gridlock, policy making deadlock.
-Some countries try to take bits of both (prime minister and president).
-President is elected by the people. Prime minister is elected by the legislature. (there may be problems if they aren't of the same party)
Legislative branch: Look at the number of houses (bicameral, unicameral)
- Bicameral - traced from old english history, European states.
- At one time, there were representatives of the aristocracy and other merchant class.
- Today, the U.K. distinction is apparent. The House of Lords and the House of Commons.
-Lords list most law making powers, weak in policymaking
-1999. Commons stripped Lords seats (who got their seats based on heredity/father-to-son). No longer can vote.
-Still bicameral in the U.K.
Some bicameral systems make the upper house the national unit of government (i.e. our Senate represents the states, the House represents the "good-for-everyone" view.
- Second value of Bicameral system - they check each other and balance power. States have power to ratify constitution.
- Third value of Bicameral system - Limits regional subnational government having excess power
- Even in unitary system, the bicameral has competition which slows legislation.
- Thus, it is difficult to pass laws quickly (Consensus building necessary).
Intro to negatives- Bicameral has a weak legislation, too many obstacles to pass legislation (which lowers government efficiency).
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