Political scienceLesson 2 of 3 in the course Executives, Cabinets, and Bureaucracies

Presidential Regimes and Executive Power: Populism, Institutions, and Persuasion

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

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Summary

This lesson introduces the defining features of presidential regimes: a popularly elected president, a separate executive mandate, and a fixed term in office. These arrangements can make accountability seem direct and government seem stable, but they also create distinctive political dynamics.

In a presidential regime, the head of government is a single individual who is popularly elected. The president typically holds executive authority independently of the legislature and serves for a specified term. This differs from a parliamentary system, where the head of government normally depends on the support of the parliament.

All flashcards

Populism
A political approach that appeals to ordinary people, often by contrasting them with elites or established institutions.
Formal presidential powers
Authorities assigned to a president by a constitution, statute, or other official rule.
Informal presidential powers
Influence arising from custom, tradition, or the authority associated with holding office.
Bully pulpit
The president's public visibility and opportunity to speak on issues to a wide audience.
Empirical analysis
The use of observable evidence to investigate a broader question or political pattern.

Quiz questions

  1. Which institutional arrangement is characteristic of a presidential regime?Answer: A popularly elected president holds executive authority for a fixed term, independently of legislative confidence.
  2. Which description best identifies a formal presidential power?Answer: An authority granted by a constitution, statute, or other official rule.
  3. How can high public approval affect a president's ability to persuade legislators?Answer: It can signal public support and make cooperation more likely, without guaranteeing it.
  4. What makes an investigation an example of empirical analysis?Answer: It uses observable evidence to examine a broader political question.
  5. Why can a separately elected president and legislature make competing claims to democratic legitimacy?Answer: Each may claim an independent mandate from voters.

Based on Introduction to Political Science by Mark Carl Rom, Masaki Hidaka, Rachel Bzostek Walker (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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