Political Institutions SIMPLIFIED (AP Comparative Government Unit 2)

Summary

In this video, we explore Unit 2 of AP Comparative Government and Politics, focusing on political systems and the three main branches of government—executive, legislative, and judicial—across six countries: the UK, Iran, China, Russia, Mexico, and Nigeria. We examine the key differences between presidential, parliamentary, and semi-presidential systems, highlighting how power is distributed and how laws are passed. The video delves into the roles and functions of each branch, comparing the nuances of each system's operation, and invites viewers to consider the strengths and weaknesses of different government structures.

Takeaways

• 😀 Presidential, parliamentary, and semi-presidential systems are the three main types of government structures, each defined by the relationship between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
• 😀 In a presidential system, the executive and legislative branches are separate, while in a parliamentary system, they are merged. Semi-presidential systems have a dual executive, with both a president and a prime minister.
• 😀 Parliamentary systems allow for easier lawmaking due to the fusion of the executive and legislative branches, but they also involve the potential for coalition governments.
• 😀 Political coalitions in parliamentary systems require compromise between different political parties, ensuring more diverse representation.
• 😀 The prime minister in a parliamentary system can call snap elections, a power not available in presidential systems, which adds flexibility but can also create instability.
• 😀 In semi-presidential systems, a dual executive can help mitigate transition gaps when one leader leaves office, but it may also lead to imbalances of power depending on the country.
• 😀 The executive branch is responsible for law enforcement, with heads of state often serving ceremonial roles and heads of government leading law enforcement efforts.
• 😀 Legislatures can be unicameral (one chamber) or bicameral (two chambers). Bicameral legislatures provide more checks and balances but can slow down the legislative process.
• 😀 Judicial review allows courts to ensure the government follows the rule of law, but it is not present in all countries, such as the UK, where laws passed in Parliament are considered constitutionally valid.
• 😀 Common law and civil law represent two major legal systems; common law allows for judicial rulings to create new law, while civil law strictly follows codified statutes and laws.
• 😀 The strength of a legislative house varies; in some systems, like the UK, the lower house is more powerful, whereas in others, like Russia, the upper house may have specialized powers like troop deployment approval.

Q & A

What are the three main political institutions discussed in the video?

The three main political institutions are the Executive Branch (enforces the law), the Legislative Branch (crafts the law), and the Judicial Branch (interprets the law).

What is the key difference between presidential, parliamentary, and semi-presidential systems?

In a presidential system, the executive and legislative branches are separate, with checks and balances. In a parliamentary system, the executive and legislative branches are merged, making it easier to pass laws. A semi-presidential system has a dual executive, with two leaders sharing executive duties.

How does the method of election differ in presidential and parliamentary systems?

In a presidential system, people vote for individual candidates. In a parliamentary system, people vote for political parties, and the majority party forms the government, sometimes requiring coalition-building.

What is a 'vote of no confidence' in a parliamentary system, and how does it work?

A vote of no confidence is when opposition parties in a parliamentary system vote to remove the current leader from power. A majority vote is required for a successful vote, which is different from impeachment processes in presidential systems.

What is the significance of having a dual executive in a semi-presidential system?

A dual executive system in a semi-presidential setup allows for two leaders (usually a president and a prime minister) to share executive powers, which can provide stability during transitions but may also lead to conflicts if one leader is more dominant than the other.

What is the role of a 'cabinet' in the executive branch, and how does it function?

The cabinet is a group of experts and advisers chosen by the head of government (e.g., president or prime minister). They manage different ministries or departments, such as foreign affairs or defense, and help enforce laws and policies.

What are the differences between unicameral and bicameral legislatures?

A unicameral legislature has one chamber for debate and lawmaking, making it easier to pass laws but with less representation and fewer checks and balances. A bicameral legislature has two chambers, providing better representation and a more robust system of checks and balances.

What is the difference between 'common law' and 'civil law' systems?

In a common law system, judges' decisions set legal precedents that become law. In a civil law system, judges base their decisions strictly on written laws, without creating new legal precedents.

How does the UK’s legislative system differ from the other countries discussed in the video?

The UK has a parliamentary system with a ceremonial monarchy, and its legislature is unicameral but acts like a bicameral system due to the House of Lords' role. Additionally, the UK lacks judicial review, meaning parliament is the supreme legislative body.

What role does the Guardian Council play in Iran's political system?

In Iran, the Guardian Council reviews all laws passed by the legislature. If the council finds a law inconsistent with the constitution or Islamic principles, it can force the legislature to revise it, effectively making Iran's unicameral legislature function like a bicameral system.