Executives

Executive Branch Largest, most complex, and most powerful in modern states Typically, governments have 1 or 2 chief executives – Presidents, Prime Ministers, Chancellors, Secretaries General, or Leader – Various titles, duties, and powers – Even some kings have genuine power still! Monarch of Saudi Arabia exercises real power Most are symbols of the state & nation Tend to be main formulators & executors of public policy

Structure of the chief executive Democratic governments have either 1 chief executive (presidential) or split chief executive of two offices: ceremonial head of state & more powerful head of government AuthoritarianDemocratic: Partisan Influence – influence in legislature Democratic: Constitutional Powers – veto legislation, issue decrees, appoint Cabinet Effective (genuine discretion in enactment of laws, budgets, or gov’t appointments) General Secretary, ChinaBritish PM French PM German Chancellor Indian PM Japanese PM Ceremonial (symbolic role) Chinese PresidentBritish Queen German President Indian President Japanese Emperor Ceremonial & Effective Iranian LeaderFrench PresidentBrazilian President Mexican President Nigerian President Russian President US President

Recruitment Method of finding top policymaker is critical to protect order & stability Major accomplishment of democracies is regulating potential conflict of succession to voting (rather than weapons) Competitive party systems – Presidential System – parties select candidates for nomination & the public elects one (US, Brazil) – Elected Presidents appoint Prime Minister (France & Russia) – Parliamentary System – Prime Minister is selected from within the Parliament, not directly elected by the public Limited tenure in presidential and parliamentary democracies

Recruitment of Chief Executive CountryStructureRecruitment Structure How Often Gov’t Survived Succession BrazilPresidentParty & votersOften BritainPrime MinisterParty, House of Commons, Voters Very Often ChinaParty SecretaryParty & militaryOften IranLeader, PresidentReligious Elites, votersOnce NigeriaPresidentMilitary, party, votersNever RussiaPresidentParty & votersOnce United StatesPresidentParty & votersVery Often

Authoritarian Systems Rarely have effective procedures for leadership succession Risky to transfer such concentrated power to another person Leadership succession occurs when leaders die or are overthrown Always aware of possibility of a party coup

Stability in Succession Poorer nations are less stable Regimes usually have less experience at surviving succession crises Many African nations experienced repeated coups Military governments also common in Latin America & the Middle East Nigeria example – Experienced military coups & governments from – Introduced competitive presidential system – Overthrown by military coup after second election in 1983 – Military gov’t moved toward civilian rule in early 1990s, but annulled the 1993 presidential election before results were announced – Military finally allowed return to civilian rule in 1999 India the Exception – Persisted through assassinations & other crises – Provided number of democratic successions with a single interruption in the 1970s

The Cabinet In many systems, the cabinet is the most important collective decision-making body Power can be great, esp. in parliamentary systems – Formation closely linked to selection of Prime Minister – Entire cabinet may be collectively responsible to the legislature – Formation depends on result of parliamentary elections & composition of parliament – Often, no party wins a majority of votes & several parties will form a coalition cabinet Typically contains leaders of all major departments – Ministers, Secretaries of State – Meets frequently – Typically selected & led by the head of government In presidential systems, members are selected by the President and the legislature gives approval

Vice President – Joe Biden Dept. of State – John Kerry Dept. of Treasury – Jack Lew Dept. of Defense – Chuck Hagel Dept. of Justice – Attorney General Eric H Holder, JR. Dept. of the Interior – Sally Jewell Dept. of Agriculture – Thomas J Vilsack Dept. of Commerce – Penny Pritzker Dept. of Labor – Thomas E Perez Dept, of Health & Human Services – Sylvia Matthew Burwell Dept. of Housing & Urban Development – Julian Castro Dept. of Trasnportation – Anthony Foxx Dept. of Energy – Ernest Moniz Dept. of Education – Arne Duncan Dept. of Veterans Affiars – Sloan Gibson Dept. of Homeland Security – Jeh Johnson US Cabinet

Functions of Chief Executive Initiates new policies Can have substantial part in their adoption, depending division of powers with the legislature Oversees policy implementation & can hold subordinate officials accountable for performance Makes decisions in foreign policy crises Conduct affects confidence in the political system as a whole Explains & builds support for policies

CASE STUDY: MILITARY COUPS In Thailand