APComp: Unit 2, Political Institutions - Parliamentary vs Presidential Systems, Executive-Legislative Relations, Vote of No Confidence, Impeachment

What This Means

Parliamentary and presidential systems are two main types of executive-legislative relations in government. This distinction matters because it affects how countries make decisions, hold leaders accountable, and balance power between the executive and legislative branches. A memorable example is the UK's parliamentary system, where the prime minister is accountable to the House of Commons and can be forced to resign if they lose a vote of no confidence.

Key Terms & Concepts

• Parliamentary System: A system where the executive branch (prime minister and cabinet) is drawn from and accountable to the legislative branch (parliament).
  • Example: The UK's prime minister is accountable to the House of Commons.
• Presidential System: A system where the executive branch (president) is separate from and independent of the legislative branch (Congress).
  • Example: The US president serves as both head of state and head of government.
• Vote of No Confidence: A motion in a parliamentary system where the legislature votes to express lack of confidence in the government, often leading to its resignation.
  • Example: In 2019, the UK's Theresa May resigned as prime minister after losing a vote of no confidence.
• Impeachment: A process in a presidential system where the legislature votes to remove the president from office for "high crimes and misdemeanors."
  • Example: In 2019, the US House of Representatives voted to impeach President Donald Trump.
• Cabinet: A group of ministers in a parliamentary system who advise the prime minister and are accountable to the legislature.
  • Example: The UK's cabinet includes the prime minister, chancellor of the exchequer, and home secretary.
• Executive-Legislative Relations: The relationship between the executive and legislative branches of government.
  • Example: In the UK, the prime minister must work with the House of Commons to pass legislation.
• Separation of Powers: A system where power is divided between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government.
  • Example: The US has a separation of powers, with the president (executive), Congress (legislative), and Supreme Court (judicial).
• Federalism: A system where power is divided between a central government and regional or state governments.
  • Example: The US has a federal system, with power divided between the federal government and state governments.
• Constitution: A document that outlines the framework and powers of a government.
  • Example: The US Constitution establishes the framework of the federal government.
• Legislative Initiative: The power of the legislature to propose and pass laws.
  • Example: In the UK, the House of Commons can propose and pass laws without the prime minister's input.
• Executive Initiative: The power of the executive to propose and pass laws.
  • Example: In the US, the president can propose and pass laws with Congress's approval.

How This Works in Practice

• In the UK, a vote of no confidence can force a prime minister to resign.
• In the US, impeachment proceedings can lead to the removal of a president from office.
• In Mexico, the president serves as both head of state and head of government, with significant executive power.
• In Russia, the president has significant executive power and can appoint and dismiss government officials.
• In Iran, the president is accountable to the Supreme Leader and the legislature, with limited executive power.

Common Misunderstandings

• Misunderstanding: A parliamentary system is the same as a presidential system.
  • Correction: A parliamentary system has a prime minister accountable to the legislature, while a presidential system has a president separate from the legislature. (Example: The UK's prime minister is accountable to the House of Commons, while the US president serves as both head of state and head of government.)
• Misunderstanding: Impeachment is the same as a vote of no confidence.
  • Correction: Impeachment is a process in a presidential system to remove the president from office, while a vote of no confidence is a motion in a parliamentary system to express lack of confidence in the government. (Example: The US House of Representatives voted to impeach President Donald Trump, while the UK's Theresa May resigned as prime minister after losing a vote of no confidence.)
• Misunderstanding: A cabinet is the same as the executive branch.
  • Correction: A cabinet is a group of ministers in a parliamentary system who advise the prime minister and are accountable to the legislature, while the executive branch includes the prime minister and other government officials. (Example: The UK's cabinet includes the prime minister, chancellor of the exchequer, and home secretary, while the executive branch includes the prime minister and other government officials.)

Quick Comparison Table

Last-Minute Exam Cram

• A parliamentary system is not the same as a presidential system.
• The UK's prime minister is accountable to the House of Commons.
• Impeachment is a process in a presidential system to remove the president from office.
• A vote of no confidence is a motion in a parliamentary system to express lack of confidence in the government.
• The US president serves as both head of state and head of government.
• The UK's cabinet includes the prime minister, chancellor of the exchequer, and home secretary.
• The US has a separation of powers, with the president (executive), Congress (legislative), and Supreme Court (judicial).
• Federalism is a system where power is divided between a central government and regional or state governments.
• The US Constitution establishes the framework of the federal government.
• The UK's House of Commons can propose and pass laws without the prime minister's input.
• The US president can propose and pass laws with Congress's approval.
• Russia's president has significant executive power and can appoint and dismiss government officials.
• Iran's president is accountable to the Supreme Leader and the legislature, with limited executive power.