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Executives & Legislatures

Executives & Legislatures. The Concentration of Power in Democratic Systems January 23, 2003. Prime Ministerial vs. Presidential Systems. differences fusion vs. separation of powers responsible government control over elections distinct vs. combined heads of state and government.

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Executives & Legislatures

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  1. Executives & Legislatures The Concentration of Power in Democratic Systems January 23, 2003

  2. Prime Ministerial vs. Presidential Systems • differences • fusion vs. separation of powers • responsible government • control over elections • distinct vs. combined heads of state and government

  3. Prime Ministerial vs. Presidential Systems • world governments • 38% parliamentary model • e.g. Canada/UK/Australia/New Zealand/Israel/Germany/Japan • 54% presidential systems • e.g. US • mixed parliamentary and presidential systems • France

  4. Prime Ministers and Presidents – Relationship with Legislature • Prime Minister • fusion of power (executive & legislature • PM must be a member of legislature and command support of majority of seats in parliament • under majority – strong control over legislature • President • separation of powers (executive & legislature) • president does not control legislature

  5. Legislates, Controls Budget, Approves Nominations and Treaties, Override Veto, Impeach VETO! Declare Laws Unconstitutional Declare Acts Unconstitutional Confirms Nominations, Impeach Nominates Judges

  6. PMs and Presidents – Selection & Tenure • Prime Ministerial selection • must command support of majority of seats in parliament • implications? • can be PM without being elected PM • PM can be forced out of office by internal challenger • no direct/independent “mandate” from the people • Prime Ministerial tenure • maximum time limit on Parliament • chooses timing of election (or forced into election)

  7. PMs and Presidents – Selection & Tenure • Presidential elections • direct • fixed term • guaranteed tenure • can’t pick and choose election timing • term limits • one term (Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay) • two-terms (US, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala)

  8. Prime Ministers and Presidents – Relationship with Head of State • Prime Minister • head of government but not head of state • President • simultaneously head of government and head of state

  9. Prime Ministerial vs. Presidential Systems • differences • fusion vs. separation of powers • responsible government • control over elections • distinct vs. combined heads of state and government

  10. France – The Hybrid System • France and West Africa (Cote d’Ivoire, Gabon, Mali, Senegal), Eastern European (Poland, Bulgaria) • executive power shared between elected President and Prime Minister • semi-presidential • President nominates the PM • President typically appoints leader of ruling coalition to post of PM

  11. Conclusion • how concentrated/fragmented should power be? • question of limited government & protection of individual rights • how important is representation? • question of enhancing mass participation • which system you prefer will depend on the model of democracy you prefer

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