Lecture 8 Flashcards
What are the 3 types of Institutions?
- Political Institutions
( Legislature, police, court,president) - Economic Institutions
( banks, corporations, taxes, money) - Socio- Cultural Institutions
( marriage, school, church, parenthood)
What are constitutions?
Formal set of rules that:
manage the division of power between the branches of government
- establish the broad rules of politics
- protect citizens from arbitrary decisions
What are the 3 branches of government?
- Legislative
- Executive
- Judicial
What do the executive branch?
Branch that carries out the law and policies of the state
Examples:
- head of state
What are the 2 types of Executive?
- Political Executive (government)
- Official Executive ( civil servant)
What is the difference between the head of state and the head of government?
The head of state represent the state and the people nationally and internationally (president, monarch)
Head of government is the person who deals with the everyday tasks of running the state (state CEO)
What do the legislative branch?
Make laws (parliament
Branch of government that is in charge with making law
What are the 2 structures in the legislative branch ?
- Unicameral system
( one legislative house or chamber) - Bicameral system
( two legislative houses or chambers)
Difference between Unicameral and Bicameral?
Difference for tradition ( House of Lords/UK), Federalism (USA/Germany), and higher quality of legislative process
What are the functions of Legislature?
- Representation
- Accountability
- Formation of public Attitudes
- Ritualize conflicts
- Transparency
- Partisanship
What do the Judicial branch?
Interprets law( court)
Branch of government that insures the constitutionally of laws and government actions
What is presidentialism?
President is both head of state and head of government. (USA , Cyprus)
What are the advantages and disadvantages of Presidentialism?
Advantages:
- gives greater choice and direct legitimacy to both branches of government
- Fixed terms provide stability
- Efficiency
Disadvantages:
- when president is not supported by parliament majority, no clear accountability
- when president is supported by parliament majority, winner takes all system
What is parliamentary system?
The prime minister is head of government only. Head of state can be monarch or president ( most EU countries)
What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of parliamentary system?
Advantages:
- no conflict been executive and legislative
- lines of responsibility are clear
Disadvantages:
- may produce unstable government
- blurs the voters choice
