Chapter 7

Germany's Divided Executive

-The German Chancellor serves a similar function as the British Prime Minister. Is the head of the majority party in the lower house of parliament. Responsible for the formulation and implementation of public policy. -The German President, as head of state, serves in a ceremonial function.

Characteristics of the British System

-The presence of a mixed regime -Fusion of powers -Indefinite terms of office -Disciplined parties -Dual executive

Mixed Regime

A nation in which the various branches of government represent different social classes. Different institutions represent different classes.

The House of Lords

Consists of the aristocracy. Currently, there are about 760 members who are eligible to take part in the work of the House of Lords. The majority are life peers. Others include 26 archbishops and bishops and 92 hereditary peers. There is no upper limit on the total number of members. The House of Lords cannot kill legislation out of the House of Commons. The House of Lords can delay a bill from taking effect for up to 1 year, called delaying power.

The French Judicial System

Divided into two basic types of courts—ordinary courts and administrative courts—with different jurisdictions. The High Council of the Judiciary, chaired by the president, decides on judicial promotions and discipline, whereas the High Court of Justice has the power to try the president for treason and members of the government for crimes related to abuses in office.

The House of Commons

Elected directly by the people. Elected directly by the people in free elections. Consists of 650 members called MPs. 14 different political parties present but Labour and Conservative are the two largest parties. Responsible for all legislative functions in Great Britain. Selects the Prime Minister (chief executive) and cabinet members.

Germany Today

Germany today is a democracy, and has elements of federalism and parliamentarianism.

Dual executive In the French System

In a parliamentary system, the division of the functions of head of state and chief executive officer between two persons; the prime minister serves as chief executive, and some other elected (or royal) figure serves as ceremonial head of state. The President is elected directly by citizens for a term of 5 years, and has a wide array of powers. The Prime Minister generally exercises less influence, presides over the cabinet, and is responsible to the legislature.

Parliamentary System

In contrast to the U.S. presidential model based on the separation of powers, parliamentary systems feature a fusion of powers in which parliament chooses the prime minister who then forms a government; parliament can in turn force the government to resign at any time by a simple majority "no confidence" vote. It is a system of democratic government. Authority is concentrated in the legislative branch (Parliament). The legislative branch selects a prime minister (who serves as a chief executive) and cabinet officers. The prime minister and cabinet officers serve as long as they have majority support in the parliament.

No-confidence vote

In parliamentary governments, a legislative vote that the sitting government must win to remain in power.

Dual Executive

In the British system there is a head of state and a head of government. The head of state is the sitting monarch. The head of government is the Prime Minister. The Queen plays a ceremonial role. The Prime Minister is the actual head of the country's government.

The French System

Incorporates aspects of both the parliamentary and presidential structures of government. Its constitution is short, with a strong executive branch to counterbalance a traditionally divided legislative branch.

The British Parliamentary System

The British have a parliamentary system of government upon which many other states' parliamentary systems are based. Many former British colonies use this system today, directly as a result of their colonial experience. It is one of the most well-known political systems in the world today.

Loyal Opposition

The belief, which originated in England, that the out-of-power party has a responsibility to formulate alternative policies and programs.

Weimar Republic

The constitutional democracy founded in Germany at the end of World War I by a constitutional convention in 1919 at the city of Weimar; associated with a period of political and economic turmoil, it ended when Hitler came to power in 1933. The failed Weimar Republic led to the rise of Nazi Germany. Nazi Germany was defeated in World War II, leading to a divided Germany.

Party discipline

The tendency of legislators to vote consistently as a bloc with fellow party members in support of the party's platform. The Loyal Opposition provides criticism and holds the majority accountable.

German federalism

serves as a permanent check on the power of the central government. The country is subdivided into 16 Länder. The land governments have control over local matters, education, and cultural affairs. They also implement laws of the national government and exercise police powers.