1. Executives & Legislatures
The Concentration of Power in Democratic Systems
January 23, 2003

2. Prime Ministerial vs. Presidential Systems
differences
fusion vs. separation of powers
responsible government
control over elections
distinct vs. combined heads of state and government

3. Prime Ministerial vs. Presidential Systems
world governments
38% parliamentary model
e.g. Canada/UK/Australia/New Zealand/Israel/Germany/Japan
54% presidential systems
e.g. US
mixed parliamentary and presidential systems
France

4. Prime Ministers and Presidents – Relationship with Legislature
fusion of power (executive & legislature
PM must be a member of legislature and command support of majority of seats in parliament
under majority – strong control over legislature
President
separation of powers (executive & legislature)
president does not control legislature

5. Legislates, Controls Budget, Approves Nominations and Treaties, Override Veto, Impeach
Declare Laws Unconstitutional
Declare Acts Unconstitutional
Confirms Nominations, Impeach
Nominates Judges

6. PMs and Presidents – Selection & Tenure
Prime Ministerial selection
must command support of majority of seats in parliament
implications?
can be PM without being elected PM
PM can be forced out of office by internal challenger
no direct/independent “mandate” from the people
Prime Ministerial tenure
maximum time limit on Parliament
chooses timing of election (or forced into election)

7. PMs and Presidents – Selection & Tenure
Presidential elections
direct
fixed term
guaranteed tenure
can’t pick and choose election timing
term limits
one term (Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay)
two-terms (US, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala)

8. Prime Ministers and Presidents – Relationship with Head of State
head of government but not head of state
President
simultaneously head of government and head of state

9. Prime Ministerial vs. Presidential Systems
differences
fusion vs. separation of powers
responsible government
control over elections
distinct vs. combined heads of state and government

10. France – The Hybrid System
France and West Africa (Cote d’Ivoire, Gabon, Mali, Senegal), Eastern European (Poland, Bulgaria)
executive power shared between elected President and Prime Minister
semi-presidential
President nominates the PM
President typically appoints leader of ruling coalition to post of PM

11. Conclusion how concentrated/fragmented should power be?
question of limited government & protection of individual rights
how important is representation?
question of enhancing mass participation
which system you prefer will depend on the model of democracy you prefer