Branching Out: Systems of Power
In this system, the legislature chooses the executive, and that executive can be removed through a vote of no confidence.
What is a parliamentary system?
In presidential systems like Mexico and Nigeria, the executive holds this title and combines the roles of head of state and head of government.
What is president?
In this system, the legislature has two houses, often called the upper and lower chambers.
What is a bicameral system?
This term describes a court system that can make decisions without interference from the executive or legislature.
What is an independent judiciary?
In which two course countries are both the head of state and head of government the same person?
What are Mexico and Nigeria?
In this system, citizens directly elect the president, who serves as both head of state and head of government.
What is a presidential system?
In parliamentary systems, the executive leader who runs the government and leads the majority party in the legislature holds this title.
What is prime minister?
This course country’s legislature is called the National Assembly and includes a Senate and House of Representatives.
What is Nigeria?
In this course country, the Guardian Council reviews laws passed by the legislature to ensure they align with Islamic principles.
What is Iran?
This course country’s legislature can remove the executive through a vote of no confidence, while its head of state is a monarch.
What is the United Kingdom?
This system combines features of both parliamentary and presidential systems, with a president and a prime minister sharing power.
What is a semi-presidential system?
In 2018, this country removed presidential term limits, allowing its leader to potentially remain in power for life.
What is China? (2018 amendment to the Constitution of China)
Compare how legislative independence differs between Iran and the United Kingdom.
Iran: The Majles can propose laws but the Guardian Council can veto them, leading to limited independence.
U.K.: Parliament has strong oversight and can remove the prime minister through a vote of no confidence.
This country’s Supreme Court gained independence after democratization in 2000 and can strike down executive actions that violate the constitution.
What is Mexico?
In both China and Iran, the executive branch is closely tied to another powerful institution. Name that institution in each country.
China: The Communist Party.
Iran: Religious (theocratic) authorities.
Explain one advantage and one disadvantage of a semi-presidential system compared to a presidential system.
Advantage: Power can be shared, preventing abuse.
Disadvantage: Conflicts may arise between president and prime minister, causing instability.
Explain one advantage and one disadvantage of executive term limits in democratic systems.
Advantage: Prevents power concentration and encourages accountability.
Disadvantage: Limits experienced leadership and may reduce continuity in policy.
Compare how legislative independence differs between Russia and Mexico.
Russia: Duma is dominated by the president’s party, leading to limited independence.
Mexico: Congress has increased independence since democratization and party competition.
This key democratic principle means that no one, not even government leaders, is above the law.
What is the rule of law?
Identify one course country where religious authority shapes the judicial system, and explain how this affects legitimacy.
What is Iran?
Religious law gives legitimacy to the regime among believers but reduces legitimacy among secular groups.
Compare how executive–legislative relations in Mexico and the United Kingdom reflect different systems of power.
Mexico (presidential): Separate elections and fixed presidential term create divided government potential.
U.K. (parliamentary): Prime minister depends on legislative majority, promoting unity but less separation of powers.
Evaluate how the presence or absence of term limits affects legitimacy and stability in one authoritarian and one democratic course country.
Authoritarian (China): Removing term limits can strengthen control but reduce legitimacy over time.
Democratic (Mexico): Fixed one-term presidency limits power but ensures peaceful transitions and legitimacy.
Explain how legislative power affects policy-making in one authoritarian and one democratic course country.
Authoritarian (China): Legislature mostly rubber-stamps party policy.
Democratic (Nigeria or U.K.): Legislature actively debates and amends bills, checking the executive.
This country’s Supreme Court has power to review laws for constitutionality and has ruled against the president’s actions, showing real independence.
What is Nigeria?
Evaluate how institutional design (executive, legislature, judiciary) contributes to stability or instability in one authoritarian and one democratic course country.
Authoritarian (China): Unified CCP control ensures stability but limits participation.
Democratic (Nigeria or U.K.): Separation of powers promotes accountability but can cause gridlock.