Political Institutions

Power institutions

Executive

Legislature

Incorporates such things as head of government

Branch that makes laws

Judiciary

Ideally play role in upholding rule of law

Military

Armed forces that are used to protect the nation-state

Bureaucracy

Agencies that implement government rules

Parliamentary System

Presidential System

Who selects the executive

Combines the lawmaking executive functions which allows the national legislature

Voters select the president directly

Semi-Presidential

Both Legislature and President are elected

Voters select the president and the national legislature in separate popular elctions

Allows the president to nominate the prime minister.

Cabinet is accountable to both the president and the legislature

President selects Prime Minister and their Cabinet

Popular among many emerging democracies

Two executives: often President and Prime Minister with differing responsibilities