Comparisons…Systems

Electoral Systems:

Single Member District Plurality

vs.Proportional Representation

How the votes get counted or who gets a seat in the legislature

Parliamentary vs.

PresidentialSystem

How the executive branch is born

Distribution of Power

Unitary vs. Federal System

Interest Group Systems

Corporatist vs.

Pluralist

Who gets heard?

Electoral Systems:

Single Member District Plurality

vs.Proportional Representation

How the votes get counted or who gets a seat in the legislature

Single Member District Plurality

Definition: Electoral system in which candidates run

for a single seat from a specific geographic district.

The winner is the person who receives the most votes, whether or not that is a majority

Characteristics: Usually results in two-party system Silences minority voters Creates large catch-all parties

Proportional Representation

Definition: An electoral system in which voters

select parties rather than individual candidates and parties are represented in legislatures in proportion to the shares of votes they win.

Characteristics: Usually results in multi-party systems Gives voice to minority voters Wider representation of political views

Parliamentary vs.

PresidentialSystem

How the executive branch is born

Parliamentary SystemCharacteristics:

Fusion of Powers Executive born of legislature—executive

branch is populated by members of legislative branch

Parliamentary sovereignty Collective responsibility Vote of confidence to remove Prime Minister High party discipline No direct election of executive branch Examples: UK

Presidential SystemCharacteristics:

Separation of Powers Checks and balances Direct election of president Lower party discipline Inefficient policy process Gridlock more likely Examples: Mexico, Nigeria, Iran (sort of)

Relationship with Legislature

in both systemsRole of legislature to enact legislation, so executive needs legislative to pass bills

Executive influences the legislative agenda by drafting bills

Executive is head of governmentLegislature can remove the executiveExecutive can introduce legislation

Mixed Presidential/Parliamentary System

Characteristics:Both a PM and a PresidentDirectly elected presidentSeparate head of government

and state

Distribution of Power

Unitary vs. Federal System

Unitary SystemDefinition:

Concentration of political power in a central government

Examples from AP6 United Kingdom China Iran

Federal SystemDefinition:

A system of governance in which political authority is shared between the national government and regional or state governments

Examples from AP6 Russia Mexico Nigeria

Interest Group Systems

Corporatist vs.

Pluralist

Who gets heard?

Pluralist Interest Group SystemDefinition:

Multiple groups may represent a single society interest.

Characteristics: Group membership is voluntary and

limited. Groups often have a loose or

decentralized organizational structure. There is a clear separation between

interest groups and the government. United States is perfect example.

Corporatist Interest Group System Definition:

Interest groups are an institutional part of the political structure and are active in policy formation and implementation.

Characteristics Membership in the peak association is often

compulsory and nearly universal. Peak associations are centrally organized and direct

the actions of their members. Groups are often systematically involved in making

and implementing policy. Key Point: Interest group part of policy process!

Rentier States

Rentier StatesDefinition:

A country that obtains much of its revenue from the export of oil or other natural resources

Impact: Government doesn’t have to be

accountable to citizens for income.Examples from AP6

Nigeria Russia Iran