1. Government Institutions
AP Comparative Government

2. Executives
In many countries the executive is split into two different roles
The head of state is a role that symbolizes and represents the people, both nationally and internationally
They take part in the ceremonial roles of the country like meeting with other heads of state
The head of government deals with the everyday tasks of running the state, and usually directs the activities of other members of the executive branch (or of there is no executive branch, then the members of their party)

3. Functions of the Executive
The chief executive is responsible for the policy-making process, imitating new policies and playing an important role in their adoption
They also hold other members of the executive responsible for their actions

4. Cabinet
In parliamentary systems, the cabinet is the most important decision making body
The Ministers are also leaders of the majority party of parliament or of the coalition government
In presidential systems, the president chooses the cabinet
They do so by looking at various demographic data while also looking towards the Senate conformation process

5. Bureaucracies
Bureaucratic agencies are those who implement government policy
Bureaucracies have increased over the last century as a way to specialize in task
Bureaucracies have several basic characteristics
Hierarchical authority
Non-elected positions
Formal qualifications for jobs
Task specialization
Extensive Rules
Clear goals
The merit principle
Impersonality
Red-tape\inefficiency

6. Democracy v Authoritarian
In a democracy bureaucracies have some discretionary power
This is the ability to make small decisions in implementing legislative and executive decisions
This allows the bureaucracy in a democracy to have significant policymaking influence
In an authoritarian regime, bureaucracies are strictly controlled by the executive and have no discretionary power

7. Legislative
The legislative branch of government is responsible for making laws for their country
Legislatures may be bicameral (two houses), or unicameral (one house)
Bicameral legislatures generally exist to allow one house to represent regional governments and interests while allowing the other chamber to represent the needs and desires of the people

8. Functions of the legislature
The legislature has a wide variety of responsibilities. These responsibilities include
Elite recruitment
Policymaking
Budgeting of money
Raising money
Appointing important officals in the executive and judicial branch

9. Judiciary
The judiciaries role varies wildly between different countries
Courts in authoritarian systems have little to no independence
Some have constitutional courts that determine the constitutionality of government decisions and have great independence
Determining constitutionality of law is known as judicial review