Constitutional lawLesson 2 of 3 in the course Separation of powers

Presidential Systems: Executive Structure, Elections, and Political Trade-offs

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

A presidential system separates the executive government from the legislature and gives the president an independent source of authority. This lesson introduces the system’s defining features and traces its development from colonial America to its adoption in countries around the world.

A presidential system, sometimes called a single-executive system, is a form of government in which the head of government—usually called the president—leads an executive branch that derives its authority and legitimacy separately from the legislature. The president is elected independently of the legislature, either directly by voters or indirectly through a process such as an electoral college.

All flashcards

What is a presidential system?
A form of government in which a president leads an executive branch whose authority is separate from the legislature.
What is an indirect presidential election?
A process in which voters choose electors or an intermediary body that takes part in selecting the president.
What are checks and balances?
Mechanisms through which branches of government scrutinize, limit, or respond to one another.
What is a semi-presidential system?
A system with an elected president and a legislature-connected prime minister who share executive power.
What is gridlock in a presidential system?
A stall in policy action that can occur when the president and legislature disagree.

Quiz questions

  1. Which power is commonly assigned to a president in a presidential system?Answer: The power to veto or challenge legislation
  2. What do checks and balances guarantee in a presidential system?Answer: They create opportunities for oversight but do not guarantee effective scrutiny.
  3. What can produce gridlock in a presidential system?Answer: Disagreement between the president and legislature over policy
  4. Which arrangement is characteristic of a semi-presidential system?Answer: An elected president and a legislature-connected prime minister share executive power.
  5. What risk did Juan Linz associate with presidential elections?Answer: Their winner-take-all character can intensify political tension and polarization.

Based on the Wikipedia article Presidential system, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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