Comparisons…Systems

1. Comparisons…Systems

2. Electoral Systems: Single Member District Plurality vs. Proportional Representation How the votes get counted or who gets a seat in the legislature

3. Single Member District Plurality • Definition: • Electoral system in which candidates run for a single seat from a specific geographic district. • The winner is the person who receives the most votes, whether or not that is a majority • Characteristics: • Usually results in two-party system • Silences minority voters • Creates large catch-all parties

4. Proportional Representation • Definition: • An electoral system in which voters select parties rather than individual candidates and parties are represented in legislatures in proportion to the shares of votes they win. • Characteristics: • Usually results in multi-party systems • Gives voice to minority voters • Wider representation of political views

5. Parliamentary vs. Presidential System How the executive branch is born

6. Parliamentary System • Characteristics: • Fusion of Powers • Executive born of legislature—executive branch is populated by members of legislative branch • Parliamentary sovereignty • Collective responsibility • Vote of confidence to remove Prime Minister • High party discipline • No direct election of executive branch • Examples: UK

7. Presidential System • Characteristics: • Separation of Powers • Checks and balances • Direct election of president • Lower party discipline • Inefficient policy process • Gridlock more likely • Examples: Mexico, Nigeria, Iran (sort of)

8. Relationship with Legislaturein both systems • Role of legislature to enact legislation, so executive needs legislative to pass bills • Executive influences the legislative agenda by drafting bills • Executive is head of government • Legislature can remove the executive • Executive can introduce legislation

9. Mixed Presidential/Parliamentary System Characteristics: • Both a PM and a President • Directly elected president • Separate head of government and state

10. Unitary vs. Federal System Distribution of Power

11. Unitary System • Definition: • Concentration of political power in a central government • Examples from AP6 • United Kingdom • China • Iran

12. Federal System • Definition: • A system of governance in which political authority is shared between the national government and regional or state governments • Examples from AP6 • Russia • Mexico • Nigeria

13. Interest Group Systems Corporatist vs. Pluralist Who gets heard?

14. Pluralist Interest Group System • Definition: • Multiple groups may represent a single society interest. • Characteristics: • Group membership is voluntary and limited. • Groups often have a loose or decentralized organizational structure. • There is a clear separation between interest groups and the government. • United States is perfect example.

15. Corporatist Interest Group System • Definition: • Interest groups are an institutional part of the political structure and are active in policy formation and implementation. • Characteristics • Membership in the peak association is often compulsory and nearly universal. • Peak associations are centrally organized and direct the actions of their members. • Groups are often systematically involved in making and implementing policy. • Key Point: Interest group part of policy process!

16. Rentier States

17. Rentier States • Definition: • A country that obtains much of its revenue from the export of oil or other natural resources • Impact: • Government doesn’t have to be accountable to citizens for income. • Examples from AP6 • Nigeria • Russia • Iran