AP Comparative Gov Essential Terms II

responsibilities of the Head of State in Russia's semi-presidential system:

President of Russia: - ceremonial leader - commander in chief - foreign policy leader - appoints top ministers (Defense and Security, Foreign Affairs, Internal Affairs) - signs/vetoes legislation

Why has the vote of no confidence been used so few times in the UK parliamentary system?

prime ministers are more likely to resign before it gets to that point

UK executive term limits

queen (head of state): none prime minister (head of gov): none

Sample (short) FRQ: what are two similarities and differences between the legislative systems in Nigeria and Mexico?

similarities: bicameral legislature, both houses approve legislation. differences: senate approves federal intervention in Mexico (not the case in Nigeria), the chamber of deputies in Mexico has the power to verify elections (we don't see this in Nigeria)

Russian executive term limits

president (head of state): 2 six-year terms premier (head of gov): none

Chinese executive term limits

president (head of state): none premier (head of government): 2 five-year terms

Sample FRQ: what is the most important similarity and difference between the legislative systems in the UK and Russia?

(answers may vary) most important similarity: the upper house is appointed in both Russia and the UK most important difference: the role of the prime minister. UK's prime minister is leader of government, whereas in Russia the prime minister has power, but because of the dual executive (and just Putin as a person) the prime minister plays a different role.

responsibilities of the Head of Government in Mexico and Nigeria's presidential system:

- appoints the Cabinet to oversee bureaucracy and civil service - proposes/approves domestic legislation

responsibilities of the Head of State in Mexico and Nigeria's presidential system:

- ceremonial leader - commander in chief - foreign policy leader

*advantages of executive term limits

- check executive power (inhibits the emergence of dictators and personality rule) - helps to focus the officeholder on government rather than winning elections - provides opportunities for new leaders with new ideas, policies, and goals

*checks on executive power in a presidential system:

- confirmation of presidential appointments to cabinet - override veto (supermajority vote) - legislative oversight (budget approval, committee bearing (scrutiny)) - impeachment (supermajority vote)

*disadvantages of executive term limits

- forces good executives to leave office - allows insufficient time for an officeholder to achieve goals - impedes policy continuity - weakens accountability - creates a lame duck period for the officeholder

*independent judiciaries can strengthen democracies by:

- maintaining checks and balances - protecting rights and liberties (because they act freely from other branches) - establishing the rule of law - maintaining separation of powers

factors impacting degree of judicial independence:

- qualifications of judges (what kind of experience do I need in order to be a judge?) - term lengths for judges - process for removal of judges - authority to overrule executive or legislative actions

*characteristics of a presidential system

- separation of executive and legislative authority (separation of powers!) - voters vote for president and legislature in separate popular elections - president selects the cabinet and legislature confirms the appointment (to join the cabinet, legislators must resign their seat) - policymaking is difficult as divided government can lead to gridlock

*Sample (short) FRQs: In the UK, 1. Who is the commander in chief of the armed forces? 2. Who appoints the Cabinet? 3. Who proposes and approves laws? 4. Who makes treaties? 5. Who greets foreign heads of state?

1. PM on behalf of the Queen 2. PM 3. PM and the Queen 4. PM 5. Queen

*Sample (short) FRQs: In Russia, 1. Who is the commander in chief of the armed forces? 2. Who appoints the Cabinet? 3. Who proposes and approves laws? 4. Who makes treaties? 5. Who greets foreign heads of state?

1. President 2. President and PM 3. President and PM 4. President 5. President (ope)

*Sample (short) FRQs: In China, 1. Who is the commander in chief of the armed forces? 2. Who appoints the Cabinet? 3. Who proposes and approves laws? 4. Who makes treaties? 5. Who greets foreign heads of state?

1. president 2. premier 3. premier and NPC (national people's congress) 4. president 5. president

*Sample (short) FRQs: In Iran, 1. Who is the commander in chief of the armed forces? 2. Who appoints the Cabinet? 3. Who proposes and approves laws? 4. Who makes treaties? 5. Who greets foreign heads of state?

1. supreme leader 2. president 3. president and expediency council 4. president 5. president

Sample FRQ: A) Describe the nature of the executive-legislative relationship in a parliamentary system. B) Describe the process used in a parliamentary system for the selection of the chief executive. C) Explain how the legislature can remove the chief executive. D) Explain how the legislature can check the power of the executive without using the removal process.

A) In a parliamentary system, there is a fusion of power between the executive and legislative branches as all members of the government, including the PM, remain in legislature. B) In a parliamentary system, the head of the majority party becomes the prime minister. C) In a parliamentary system, the legislature gives a vote of no confidence in the the government and the government resigns. D) Another check on the executive is a form of question time, when the MPs have the power to publicly question the government which provides transparency and requires accountability for government decision-making.

Sample FRQ: A) Define political legitimacy B) Explain how two different AP Comp countries achieve political legitimacy through their executive-legislative branch relationships

A) Political legitimacy occurs when the citizens of a state accept their government's authority. B) Voters are most likely to accept the legitimacy of their government when that government is accountable to the voters. There are two basic systems of executive-legislative relationships which are accountable to voters through elections. The UK employs a parliamentary system of government where the voters vote directly for an MP and then the majority party in the House of Commons selects their leader as the Prime Minister. Mexico, on the other hand, uses a presidential system of government where the voters vote directly in separate elections for the President and the legislature for both the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies.

Sample FRQ: A) Describe the role of the Head of Government. B) Explain how states with presidential systems and states with parliamentary systems give their legislatures similar methods to control the power of the head of government. Use two different AP Comp countries in your answer, one with a parliamentary system and one with a presidential system.

A) The head of Government in a political system is the chief policymaker--the one who crafts and proposes legislation alongside the cabinet. B) Legislatures in both presidential and parliamentary systems can check the power of the Head of Government in several ways from simply rejecting the proposed legislation to removing the executive. A parliamentary system like the UK has the Head of Government (the Prime Minister) propose bills as government bills but they still need majority support by the MPs. If the PM cannot convince a majority of the legislature to vote for a bill, the bill fails. A failure to pass a bill is a vote of no confidence and the government has to resign, thus limiting the power of the Head of Government. The president is the Head of Government in a presidential system like Mexico's. When the president proposes legislation, the Congress can reject that legislation of one house fails to win a majority. In addition, the legislature has the power to remove the president through impeachment. Both ways limit the power of the Head of Government.

Sample FRQ: compare how legislative powers can be independent or constrained by other governmental institutions in two different AP comp course countries. In your response, you should do the following: A. Define legislative independence. B. Explain how legislative independence is used by governmental institutions in two different AP comp course countries. C. Explain why each of the two AP comp course countries described in (B) would choose to constrain legislative powers.

A. legislative independence refers to the degree to which a legislature is free to exercise its powers without the influence of other branches/institutions. B. (answers may vary) During Question Time, members of the UK legislature can question the prime minister about policies, and it uses this power to hold the prime minister accountable and open debate. In Mexico, the constitution gives the legislature the power to impeach the president and it uses this power to check the executive branch. C. (answers may vary) In the UK, the House of Commons is constrained by elections every five years. This constraint is in place so that lawmakers work for their constituents. In Mexico the legislature is constrained by elections as a way to maintain stability and prevent corruption.

*head of state and head of government for each course country (China, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, UK):

China: - Head of State: President - Head of Gov: Premier Iran: - Head of State: Supreme Leader - Head of Gov: President Mexico: - Head of State: President - Head of Gov: President Nigeria: - Head of State: President - Head of Gov: President Russia: - Head of State: President - Head of Gov: Prime Minister UK: - Head of State: Monarch - Head of Gov: Prime Minister remember: head of gov always starts with P (pres, premier, prime minister)

*what type of judiciaries (independent/not independent) do each of the course countries have?

China: not independent (CCP controls it) Iran: not independent Mexico: sort of independent (transitioning toward independent) Nigeria: sort of independent (transitioning, but pres still has power to remove judges at will) Russia: not independent (Putin lol) United kingdom: independent

Sample MCQ: Which of the following describes an accurate difference between parliamentary and presidential systems? A. Parliamentary systems are unitary, while presidential systems are federal. B. Parliamentary systems let voters directly select the prime minister, while presidential systems only allow indirect elections for the president. C. Parliamentary systems let the MPs (ministers of parliament) select the cabinet, while presidential systems let the president pick the cabinet. D. Parliamentary systems allow cabinet ministers to retain their seat in the legislature, while presidential systems require cabinet members to give up their seats in the legislature if they join the executive government.

D. Parliamentary systems allow cabinet ministers to retain their seat in the legislature, while presidential systems require cabinet members to give up their seats in the legislature if they join the executive government.

*Sample MCQ: which of the following pairs of countries has a bicameral national legislature? A. Britain and Iran B. Mexico and China C. China and Russia D. Russia and Britain E. Iran and Nigeria

D. Russia and Britain

*what is the difference between a head of state and a head of government?

Head of State: ceremonial leader--represents the state. ex. monarch, president Head of Government: legislative leader-- formulates policy ex. prime minister, president note: in a presidential system, the president serves as both Head of State and Head of Government. but also remember that president≠presidential system; Pres Xi is the Head of State of China, but not Head of Gov.

*AP comp example(s) of a presidential system:

Mexico and Nigeria

Sample FRQ: Explain how two different systems of executive-legislative relationships affect the efficiency of the lawmaking process. Use two different AP Comp countries in your answer, one with a parliamentary system and one with a presidential system.

Parliamentary systems are typically more efficient at lawmaking because of the fusion of legislative and executive authority that gives the members of the majority party incentive to support proposed government policies. Presidential systems, on the other hand, separate legislative and executive authority, making it typically more difficult to get a law passed. The head of government in a parliamentary system, like the UK PM, typically has strong support for government policies among the majority party which selected the PM for office. This ensures that the majority will efficiently vote for the government bill to avoid a vote of no confidence. Presidents, on the other hand, like Mexican president, have a more difficult time as Head of Government when they face a divided government, where the legislature is controlled by a different party. This often leads to gridlock where the two sides cannot agree and therefore legislation is not passed.

responsibilities of the Head of Government in China's government system:

Premier of China: - appoints the cabinet to oversee bureaucracy and civil service - proposes domestic legislation

*Sample (short) FRQs: In both Mexico and Nigeria, 1. Who is the commander in chief of the armed forces? 2. Who appoints the Cabinet? 3. Who proposes and approves laws? 4. Who makes treaties? 5. Who greets foreign heads of state?

President (lol sorry)

responsibilities of the Head of State in China's government (idfk) system:

President of China: - ceremonial leader - commander in chief - foreign policy leader - nominates Premier

responsibilities of the Head of Government in Iran's government system:

President of Iran - appoints cabinet to oversee bureaucracy and civil service - proposes domestic legislation - conducts foreign policy

responsibilities of the Head of Government in Russia's semi-presidential system:

Prime Minister of Russia: - appoints the cabinet to oversee bureaucracy and civil service - proposes domestic legislation (works for head of state because if the economy tanks you can blame the prime minister)

responsibilities of the Head of Government in the UK's parliamentary system:

Prime Minister of the UK: - appoints the Cabinet to oversee bureaucracy and civil service - de facto commander in chief - makes foreign policy - develops domestic policies - calls elections

responsibilities of the Head of State in the UK's parliamentary system:

Queen of England: - ceremonial leader - formally names PM - signs bill into law she doesn't have a lot of political power, she has formal powers. but all the political decisions are being made by the PM.

*AP comp example(s) of a semi-presidential system:

Russia

responsibilities of the Head of State in Iran's government system:

Supreme Leader of Iran: - commander in chief - appoints half of the guardian council, chief justice, expediency council, revolutionary guards, friday prayer leaders, head of the media, bonyad leaders (basically everyone except majlis, assembly of experts, and president+cabinet)

*Which country is the only one out of our 6 course countries to remove their executive?

UK in 1990

*checks on executive power in a parliamentary system:

Ultimate check on the executive: Vote of No Confidence: A way to remove the prime minister. Needs majority of MPs to pass. Result: PM and cabinet should resign. Other checks: 1. Question Time: MPs question the PM, make them accountable for their answers. 2. Party Leadership Vote: (I don't understand this one) 3. Collective Responsibility*: if a minister disagrees with a government policy, they must still publicly support it. a minister who cannot abide by collective responsibility is expected to resign. purpose: to make it look like all ministers provide a united front. *specific to the UK

*AP comp example(s) of a parliamentary system:

United Kingdom

*Nigeria's legislative system (structure and function)

V similar to the United States structure: bicameral legislature (house of representatives and senate) function: - house of reps (lower chamber): approves legislation - senate (upper chamber): approves legislation, confirmation power, impeachment power

*presidential system

democratic alternative to monarchy in which voters select the president and the legislature in separate popular elections

cabinet selection and implications in a parliamentary system:

cabinet selection: - all cabinet members are current MPs - all cabinet members are experienced party leaders, all focused on party unity implications: - fusion of branches - selected because of party experience and not subject expertise - PM must build party consensus

cabinet selection and implications in a presidential system:

cabinet selection: - cabinet members may not have electoral experience - cannot hold legislative seat at the same time implications: - selected for policy expertise difference in Nigeria: there's a federal character in place for legitimacy because of all the different ethnic groups. president has to choose 1 person from every state to be in the cabinet

*parliamentary system

democratic alternative to monarchy that combines the lawmaking and executive functions. this allows the national legislature to select and remove the head of government and the cabinet

efficiency in lawmaking and implications in a parliamentary system:

efficiency in lawmaking: - government bills pass with a majority vote, otherwise it's a vote of no confidence implications: - majoritarian - efficient lawmaking - few institutional checks except by Question Time

efficiency in lawmaking and implications in a presidential system:

efficiency in lawmaking: - gridlock likely in divided government - power to override a veto with supermajority vote implications: - lack of accountability - inefficient lawmaking - difficult to override

*parliamentary lawmaking process is _____________ (efficient/inefficient)

efficient

in a presidential system, the executive branch ____________ the law

enforces

*true or false: if a country has a president, it means that they have a presidential system.

false ex. China does not have a presidential system because President Xi is not directly elected by the people.

*executive's responsibilities and examples:

formulate policies (ex. manage policy agenda, propose laws and budgets) implement policies (ex. manage bureaucracy, write regulations) enforce policies (ex. administer programs, maintain law and order)

Mexican executive term limits

president (head of state AND gov): 1 six-year term

*semi-presidential system

hybrid form of government with a dual executive in which a president exists alongside a prime minister and a cabinet. the president appoints the prime minister and the legislature approves it. elements of the parliamentary system: the prime minister and cabinet handle the legislation of the state elements of the presidential system: the president is a popularly elected head of state.

*removal of executive in presidential systems

impeachment (supermajority)

*presidential lawmaking process is _____________ (efficient/inefficient)

inefficient

What is the main function of judicial systems?

interpret and apply the laws

in a presidential system, the judicial branch ____________ the law

interprets

in a presidential system, the legislative branch ____________ the law

makes

Nigerian executive term limits

president (head of state AND gov): 2 four-year terms

Sample FRQ: Develop an argument as to whether executive term limits promote or hinder effective policymaking. Use one or more of the following course concepts in your answer: - Legitimacy - Stability - Authority

pick a side: Executive term limits promote effective policymaking. explain why: because connect to concept: they confer legitimacy. People are more likely to accept new laws and regulations when they know that the power of the government is limited and accountable to the voters.

political stability and implications in a presidential system:

political stability: - fixed terms of office - impeachment process to remove implications: - Mexico has 1 six-year presidency - lame duck period - very difficult to remove

political stability and implications in a parliamentary system:

political stability: - majoritarian lawmaking - vote of no confidence - party leadership vote for PM implications: - little incentive to not pass bills - much easier to bring down PM

*Iran's judicial system (structure and function)

structure: Sharia (islamic) law, head of judiciary appointed by supreme leader function: - ensure the judiciary is based on religious law. - head of the judiciary can nominate half of the guardian council. - Judicial review (but instead of deciding based on a constitution, they decide based on Sharia law, religion)

*Russia's legislative system (structure and function)

structure: bicameral (duma, federation council) function: - duma (lower): passes legislation, confirms the president's choice for prime minister - federation council (upper, appointed): approves budget legislation, confirms judicial nominees, approves troop deployment

*Mexico's legislative system (structure and function)

structure: bicameral legislature (chamber of deputies and senate) function: - chamber of deputies (lower): approves legislation, levies taxes, verifies election outcomes - senate (upper): approves legislation, approves treaties, confirmation of supreme court justices, approve federal intervention in state matters

*the UK's legislative system (structure, function, power allocation)

structure: bicameral legislature (house of commons and lords) function: - house of commons (lower, includes prime minister): approves legislation - house of lords (upper, appointed): reviews and amends bills, can delay implementation of legislation power allocation: house of commons has more power because they actually create the legislation, whereas house of lords only reviews (although they can delay)

UK's judicial system (structure and function)

structure: not unified (different courts for different regions) function: - common law to enforce rule of law - supreme court - final court of appeals - judicial review? no written constitution, but they kind of do it anyway.

China's judicial system (structure and function)

structure: tiered court system, judicial appointments are controlled by the CCP. no judicial review. function: rule by law. no judicial review

Mexico's judicial system (structure and function)

structure: tiered court system, supreme court magistrates nominated by senate, confirmed by president for 15-year terms function: - supreme court has judicial review

Russia's judicial system (structure and function)

structure: tiered system, judges nominated by Pres, approved by federation council function: - judicial review (in theory but not practice)

Nigeria's judicial system (structure and function)

structure: tiered system, supreme court judges recommended by judicial council, appointed by president, confirmed by senate function: - judicial review - sharia courts in the North

*Iran's legislative system (structure, function, power allocation)

structure: unicameral legislature function: Majles (elected house) approves legislation, oversees the budget, confirms presidential cabinet appointments power allocation: power actually lies outside the legislature with the religious structures. Majles acts under supervision of the Guardian Council.

*China's legislative system (structure and function)

structure: unicameral legislature function: National People's Congress (elected, party-controlled house) elects the president, approves the premier, and legitimizes policies of the executive

Iranian executive term limits

supreme leader (head of state): none president (head of gov): 2 four-year terms

what is judicial review?

the ability to interpret and/or overthrow legislature

*what is legislative independence?

the degree to which a legislature is free to exercise its power without constraints from other branches/institutions

effects of independent legislatures:

they could potentially increase legitimacy and stability because they're 1. more responsive to the public 2. more likely to openly debate policy (and therefore more likely to facilitate compromise 3. more likely to extend civil liberties 4. more likely to check the executive

*removal of executive in parliamentary systems

vote of no confidence (majority) party leadership vote (majority party votes to remove)

voter accountability and implications in a parliamentary system:

voter accountability: - direct elections for MPs - indirect selection for PM implications: - voter does NOT have direct vote for executive--is this less legitimate? - majority party has accountability for passing legislation--few barriers to passing legislation

voter accountability and implications in a presidential system:

voter accountability: - separate elections for president and legislature implications: - president has a direct mandate from the voters--is this more legitimate? - chance of a divided government which could lead to gridlock

*what is the difference between parliamentary and presidential systems?

who selects the executive in a parliamentary system the legislature can select and remove the head of government in a presidential system the voters select the president and legislature in separate popular elections