Title: Political Institutions
1Political Institutions
- AP Comparative Government
- Unit IV Part 1
2ReviewDefinition State
- A state is a political association with effective
sovereignty over a geographic area. - These may be nation states or sub-national
states, or in some cases supernational
organizations.
3The Foundation of the State
- The STATE
- Most dominant political unit
- No higher authority
4Political Institutionsand Structures
- Key Questions
- Who are the rulers?
- What are the rules to control them?
- Who controls AND WHY?
- How are they Controlled?
- WHO DO THEY CONTROL?
5Institutions in a State
- A state usually includes
- A set of institutions that claim the authority to
make the rules that govern the exercise of
coercive violence for the people of the society
in that territory - Status as a state often depends in part on being
recognized by a number of other states as having
internal and external sovereignty over it.
6How Do States Gain and Keep Control?
- Four theories
- By Force
- By Evolution
- By Divine Right
- Through Social Contract
- Locke, Rousseau, Montesquieu
7Review from AP Government
- Political Institutions
- Executive Branch
- Can also include the Military
- Can also include the Bureaucracy
- Legislative Branch
- Judicial Branch
- Linking Institutions
- Political Parties
- Interest Groups
- The Media
8The Executive Branch
- Head of State
- President
- Dictator
- Monarch
- Head of Government
- Prime Minister
- Premier
- Chancellor
9Head of State or Chief of State
- Usually serves as the chief public representative
of a monarchic or republican nation-state,
federation, commonwealth or any other political
state. - His or her role generally includes personifying
the continuity and legitimacy of the state and
exercising the political powers, functions and
duties granted the head of state in the country's
laws and constitution.
10Head of State or Chief of State
- Charles de Gaulle described the role he envisaged
for the French president when he wrote the modern
French constitution. - He said the head of state should embody "the
spirit of the nation" for the nation itself and
the world une certaine idée de la France (a
certain idea about France). - Today many countries expect their head of state
to embody national values in a similar fashion
11Head of Government
- The Head of Government is the chief officer of
the executive branch of a government, often
presiding over a cabinet. - Is the Leader of the Government
- Process functions includes
- Initiates/sets policy
- Domestic and Foreign
- Enhances policy
- Enforcement of policy
12Head of Government AND State
- In presidential republics or monarchies, the head
of government may be the same person as the head
of state, who is often a president (of the
republic) or a monarch. - Example The United States
13 Functions of Executive
- Leader of State
- Communicator of State Ideals
- Implementation of Policy
- Dynamism
- Sets pace and enhances political structure
14Executives as Bureaucrats
- Functions
- Enforcement of laws, implement rules
- Monopolizes outputs
- Elaborates policy
- Adjudicates policy
- Spokesperson for special interest group
- Interest aggregation
- Communication function
- Is it responsive?
15How Can Executive Power be Controlled?
- Through Checks and Balances!
- These agents of Control include
- Voting (where this is available)
- Approval of budgets
- Investigative Courts
- Mass media reports
- Interest groups
- Internal advisory commissions
- Whistle blowers
16The Legislative Branch
- An assembly of elected representatives
- 75 of 180 states have one
- Congress
- Chamber
- Diets
- Parliament
- House of Commons
- Majiles
- Elected by popular vote
- Accountable
- Legitimate
Russian Duma
17Nations with bicameral legislatures.     Nations
with unicameral legislatures.     No legislature
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19Functions of Legislative Branch
- Enact Legislation
- Debating Forum
- Amend Legislation
- Formulation of policy
- Input comes from outside
- the voters
20ReviewHow is Power Balanced Between the
Executive and Legislative Branches?
- Presidential Systems
- Separation of powers between Executive and
Legislative branches - May be Dictatorship or Democracy
- May be
- Direct
- Indirect Representative Govt
- Parliamentary Systems
- Merger of Executive and legislative branches with
a PM selected by the majority party - Also may be Dictatorship or Democracy
- May be
- Direct
- Indirect Representative
21The Judicial Branch
- Courts establish the Rule of Law for the
society - Court system is based on who possesses the
legitimate power of the government. - Authoritarian systems drive the judicial process.
- Democratic systems will have checks and balances
that will separate the three branches.
22Classifying Institutions and Structures
- Key Questions
- Who/which institution is in control?
- Why are they in control?
- How do they control?
- When did it occur?
- How does it work?
- Are there checks/balances?
- How does it work?
- If not why not?
- Are there rules to control the dominant player?
- Who made the rules? When?
- Do they work?
23What major institution holds the key in Great
Britain?
24British Government Traditions
- Who Should Govern? What should Government Do?
- Trusteeship Theory
- The governments job is to govern
- Best interests of the masses
- Interest Group Theory- Collectivism
- Balance the needs of the people
- Loyalty Prevails England First
- Individualist Theory
- Parties should represent people rather than
organized groups - The Unions shall prevail attitude was
dismantled by the New Labour
25British Government Traditions
- The PM Connection to the Crown
- The PM is the "Head of Her Majesty's Government"
- Queen provides Formal assent to all laws passed
in Parliament - An age-old tradition of approval
- No criticism of Parliament from Crown in public
is allowed - The Crown can dissolve Parliament
- Hasnt been done since 1834
26What about this no Constitution business?
- The UK constitution is not in a single, written
document, but is drawn from legislation,
treaties, judicial precedents, convention, and
numerous other sources. - Two Basic Rules
- The Rule of Law
- The Supremacy of Parliament
27Great Britain Government
- A unitary government
- A melding of the Executive and Legislative
branches - Parliament
- A deliberate assembly of one nation for one
interest, that of the whole -- more ceremonial
than efficient or effective - Fact -- The Executive Branch can secure every
passage of its legislation - 97 of Whitehalls bills are passed!
28British Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister
I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears,
and sweat- Winston Churchill
- David Cameron
- Conservative Party ( Tories)
- Nick Clegg
- Liberal Democrats
Being prime minister is a lonely job... you
cannot lead from the crowd. Margaret Thatcher
29The Prime Minister
- Prime Minister
- First Among Equals
- Party leader
- Chairman of cabinet
- Major campaigner of policy
- Patronage - vital weapon
- selects all 20 cabinet members
- Selects Cabinet
- secures the close union and complete fusion of
the executive and legislative branches - Majority party dictates
30GBs Prime Minister
- PM needs cabinet support, not electorate.
- Apex of unitary government but cabinet positions
are not fixed. . . - PMs Power determined by events of state
- HE HAS TO WATCH OUT FOR THE SHADOW CABINET
(THATS THE MINORITY PARTYS LEADERSHIP - Goal - maintain a good government . . . no matter
what the posting.
31The Power of Whitehall
- Insures that the governments position is passed
- Superior political power and flexibility
- No constitution to inhibit but rules by
constitutional principles
Whitehall pictured in 2012, with The Cenotaph and
Monument to the Women of World War II in the
middle of the street, and the clock tower housing
Big Ben in the background.
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33Whitehall Bigwigs
The Home Office was born out of the barrel of a
gun. It was created to prevent public disorder
after troops shot dead nearly 300 people after
rioting... in 1780
- Home Office
- Home Secretary
- The Foreign Office
- Foreign Secretary
- Treasury
- Chancellor of the Exchequer
Teresa May
"The India Office is a miniature Government in
itself.
William Hague
The Chancellor of the Exchequer isentrusted
with a certain amount of misery which it is his
duty to distribute as fairly as he can."
George Osborne
34The House of Commons
- 650 members
- Led by a speaker- John Bercow since 2009
- Term of office -- 5 years MAX
- Division of power between the majority and the
minority. - Party Line whip
- Goal -- Dont hurt the party
- Its function is to approve policy, not make
policy
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36Legislating in the UK
- MPs in House of Commons deliberate and debate
the details of policy. . . not what policy but
how to implement the policy - Purpose is to discuss legislation, not make it. .
. - Legislation is made in Whitehall.
37Debate in House of Commons
- Debates express moods of HC.
- If legislation passes, debate was effective.
- Debate functions to weigh ones peers.
- Debates allow minority to scrutinize
administration - If the populous doesnt like it. . . they can
seek out the ombudsman to express dissent
38Ministers of ParliamentMPs
- MPs are used to feel out legislation
Publicize the issues! - Articulate political ideas debating forum
- H of C is a place to mobilize support
- MP is not a legislator
- Cant go against party line
- Can oversee how the bureaucracy manages policy
endeavors - Has oversight function
39The House of Lords
- A hereditary body formerly with inherited seats
- Can initiate or amend legislation
- Not elected. . . Selected
- Not a cross-section of representation
- Appointed peers hold office
- The inherited hereditary seat holders were
abolished 1999 - The law lords were made up of HC retirees, all
appointed - Was considered Supreme Court of Great Britain
until 2009
40The House of Lords
- Power is limited
- Delay commons enactments up to a year . . . but
no veto power - Always conservative body made up of retired
MPs who are favored by PM
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43The Cabinet
- Secures the close union and complete fusion of
the executive and legislative branches - Apex of unitary government
- Cabinet positions are not fixed
- Majority party dictates
- PM needs cabinet support, not electorate.
- Power determined by events of state
- Goal of Cabinet
- To maintain a good government . . . no matter
what the posting. - PM must watch out for the Shadow Cabinet
- The Minority Partys Leadership
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45Parliament- Policy Making
- Good policy is one that government finds
acceptable to administer and publicly defend - Lawmaking is resource of the government.
- Parliament averages only 85 bills per year
- Most legislation updates old laws
- Taxes
- 30 of earnings-- socialism is expensive!!
- 1/3 of workforce works for government
- 1/2 of society on the DOLE (welfare rolls)
46Do they really NEED one?
- It has been suggested that the British
Constitution can be summed up in eight words
What the Queen in Parliament enacts is law. - This means that Parliament, using the power of
the Crown, enacts law which no other body can
challenge. - Parliamentary sovereignty is commonly regarded as
the defining principle of the British
Constitution. - This is the ultimate lawmaking power vested in a
democratically elected Parliament to create or
abolish any law.
47- The British unitary system is beginning to look
like a federal system - Devolution towards Scotland and Northern Ireland
- Whig initiatives.
- More freedom for local governments
- London mayor is now elected official.
- Reform in House of Lords
- Electoral reform
- A Bill of Rights???
48The 'new' Supreme Court (Created in 2009)
- The Supreme Court is the same body as the old
Law lords in a new courtroom (without their
wigs) and no voting powers in the House of Lords - Powers
- All the UK Supreme Court can do is issue a
'statement of incompatibility' against govt.
legislation that concerns human rights - They have been the final court of appeal for
Human Rights Act (HRA) cases in the UK since
1998, which can still be appealed further to the
European Court of Human rights.
49Other Changes to System??
- For change to occur
- Party in power has to reduce its own power
- Is that likely?
- Conservatism doesnt breed change. . .
- Parliament has total sovereignty can change the
law at any time to suit its needs. . .can that
change? - EU Law can circumvent Parliament law
- Electoral system bashes third parties . .
- That will come next unit. . . ?
50The Stone of Scone (or Stone of Destiny)
- A stone placed inside the coronation chair upon
which British monarchs are crowned - Scottish kings were formerly crowned on the stone
AND it used to sit under the coronation chair in
Londons Westminster Abbey, until Thursday,
November 14, 1996. - The stone is now on display in Edinburgh Castle,
with the intention to shuttle the stone to
Westminster Abbey for future coronations of the
British monarch.
51Unless the fates be faulty grownAnd prophets
voice be vainWhereer is found this sacred
stoneThe Scottish race shall reign.
52Traditions of the State Opening of Parliament
- The State Opening ceremony dates from the opening
in 1852. But parts of the ceremony can be traced
back to even earlier times, when the monarchy and
Parliament were on less than congenial terms. - The speech is read in the House of Lords because
no monarch has set foot in the House of Commons
since 1642, when Charles the First entered the
Commons and tried to arrest five MPs.
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54- The hostage MP
- Before the Queen travels to Parliament from
Buckingham Palace, certain traditional
precautions are taken. A member of the government
is held at Buckingham Palace to guarantee the
safe return of the monarch. The hostage is
released upon the safe return of the Queen. - Searching the cellars
- The Yeomen of the Guard search the cellars of the
Houses of Parliament, in a tradition that dates
back to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, when Guy
Fawkes was arrested while preparing to blow up
Parliament. - Black Rod
- The official known as Black Rod is sent to the
Commons to summon MPs to attend the speech. The
door is at first slammed in his face and MPs do
not reopen it until he knocks on the door with
his staff of office. MPs then follow Black Rod
and the Speaker to the Lords Chamber.
55New in 2009
- The UK added a Supreme Court in 2009
- The judicial function of Parliament ended in
2009, when an independent UK Supreme Court was
established.
The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for
Justice Jack Straw He has made a written
ministerial statement in which he has announced
a new structure for the Ministry of Justice.
56The UK Supreme Court
- The Supreme Court was established in 2009 to
achieve a complete separation between the United
Kingdoms senior Judges and the Upper House of
Parliament, emphasizing the independence of the
Law Lords and increasing the transparency between
Parliament and the courts. - Courts are the final arbiter between the citizen
and the state, and are therefore a fundamental
pillar of the constitution.
57Formerly Part of the House of Lords
- In August 2009 the Justices moved out of the
House of Lords (where they sat as the Appellate
Committee of the House of Lords) into their own
building on the opposite side of Parliament
Square. - They sat for the first time as a Supreme Court in
October 2009.
58Role of the UK Supreme Court
- The final court of appeal for all United Kingdom
civil cases, and criminal cases from England,
Wales and Northern Ireland - hears appeals on arguable points of law of
general public importance - concentrates on cases of the greatest public and
constitutional importance - maintains and develops the role of the highest
court in the United Kingdom as a leader in the
common law world
59Impact of the Supreme Court
- The impact of Supreme Court decisions extend far
beyond the parties involved in any given case,
shaping our society, and directly affecting our
everyday lives. - For instance, in their first legal year, the
Justices gave landmark rulings on - access to legal advice for Scottish suspects
- the rights of gay asylum seekers
- and the weight to be given to pre-nuptial
agreements.
60What major institution holds the key in Great
Britain?
- Parliament!
- The melding of the Executive and Legislative
Branches
61What major institution holds the key in China?
62Constitution of 1982
- The formal structure of government is based on
the State Constitution adopted on December 4,
1982, by the National People's Congress (NPC),
China's highest legislative body. - The 1982 Constitution superseded three previous
state constitutions--those of 1954, 1975, and
1978.
63Constitution of 1982
- The 1982 Constitution is a lengthy, hybrid
document with 138 articles. Large sections were
adapted directly from the 1978 constitution, but
many of its changes derive from the 1954
constitution. - Specifically, the new Constitution deemphasizes
class struggle and places top priority on
development and on incorporating the
contributions and interests of nonparty groups
that can play a central role in modernization. - Rings with egalitarianism, but . . . .
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66FrameworksChina
- Power of State
- Power of Party
- Power of Army
67Chinese Communist Party
- The Communist Party of China (CCP or CPC) was
founded on July 1, 1921 in Shanghai, China. - After 28 years of struggle founded the People's
Republic of China in 1949.
68The 7 Top CCP Officials in the Politiboro
Standing Committee
- Xi Jinping - Head of China's Communist Party and
chairman of China's Central Military Commission - Li Keqiang - Premier (in March)
- Zhang Dejiang - Head of National People's
Congress - Yu Zhengsheng - Head of Chinese Peoples
Consultative Conference - Liu Yunshan - Head of Propaganda Department
- Wang Qishan - Secretary of the Central Commission
for Discipline Inspection - Zhang Gaoli - Executive Vice Premier
69The Politburo Standing Committee, makes up of the
top leadership of the Communist Party in China
- Xi Jinping SHEE jin PING (-sh as in ship, -j as
in Jack, -i as in sit, -ng as in sing) - Li Keqiang LEE kuh chee-AANG (-ee as in street,
-aa as in father, -ch as in church, -ng as in
sing) -
- Zhang Dejiang JAANG duh jee-AANG (-j as in Jack,
-aa as in father, -ng as in sing) - Zhang Gaoli JAANG gow LEE (-j as in Jack, -aa as
in father, -ng as in sing, -ow as in now)
70- Wang Qishan WAANG chee SHAN (-aa as in father,
-ng as in sing -ch as in church) - Liu Yunshan LYOH yuen SHAN (-ly as in million,
-oh as in no, -ue as in French vu) -
- Yu Zhengsheng YUE jung SHUNG (-ue as in French
vu, -j as in Jack, -u as in bun, -ng as in sing)
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72ChinaExecutive Branch
- Xi Jinping - Head of China's Communist Party and
chairman of China's Central Military Commission - Li Keqiang - Premier
- Zhang Dejiang - Head of National People's
Congress - Yu Zhengsheng - Head of Chinese Peoples
Consultative Conference
73Xi Jinping- current roles
- General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee
- Chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission
74State Council
- The State Council (or Central Government) is the
highest organ of Chinese executive branch. - Concentration of power but still needs party
support - Politburo rules party, influences government
Li Keqiang Member of the Standing Committee
Premier of the State Council
75The State Council
- The State Council is the government of the PRC.
- It is the highest organ of state power, and of
state administration - The State Council consists of
- Premiers, Vice-Premiers, State Councilors,
Ministers in charge of ministries, Ministers in
charge of commissions, Auditor-General, and the
Secretary-General. - The State Councils term of office is five years.
76Central Military Commission
- The Constitution also established the Central
Military Commission (CMC), a organizational body
empowered to direct the armed forces of China. - The Constitution does not enumerate the duties
and powers of this governmental unit, as it does
with the others. - It does, however, establish that the CMC is
responsible to the NPC, supporting the idea that
the NPC is the highest organ of state power.
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78China Executive Branch-(old) State Council
79ChinaLegislative Branch
- National Peoples Congress
- The NPC is the unicameral body vested with the
authority to establish the laws in China. - This is a ratifying body, not deliberating body,
a forum for special interest groups - 2,987 members (largest in the world)
- Term 5 years
- Meets once a year
- Unicameral
- Function
- Amend legislation
- Appoints/selects President and VP of PRC with a
caucus system format (Quanxi)
80ChinaLegislative Branch
- The NPC is partially composed of a permanent body
called the Standing Committee of the National
Peoples Congress - When the NPC is not in secession, the Standing
Committees can enact amendments and additions to
laws passed by the NPC
81ChinaLegislative Branch
- The Central Committee is elected by the National
Party Congress. - When the National Party Congress is not in
session, the Central Committee leads all the work
of the Party and represents the CPC outside the
Party. - It is elected for a term of five years.
82ChinaLegislative Branch
- Legislation is also created at more local levels
by the peoples congresses of provinces,
municipalities, autonomous areas and cities. - The Constitution provides the structure,
authority, and duties of the Local Peoples
Congresses
83March 2010
opening meeting of the Third Session of the 11th
National Committee of the Chinese People's
Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) at the
Great Hall of the People in Beijing
- Hu Jintao (C, Front), Wu Bangguo (2nd R, Front),
Wen Jiabao (2nd L, Front), Jia Qinglin (1st R,
Front), Li Changchun (1st L, Front), Xi Jinping
(2nd L, Back), Li Keqiang (2nd R, Back), He
Guoqiang (1st L, Back) and Zhou Yongkang (1st R,
Back)
84China- Regional Governments
- Standing Committees at every level the epitome
of local control - Regional Governments
- Provinces
- Prefectures
- County Townships
- Production brigades
- Production teams
85China- Bureaucracy
- Largest in the world
- Chinese citizens cant hold both a political and
government post - Cadres- Public officials
- An attempt to decentralize power
- Generally not trusted (2010 Golf Scandal)
The Premier, Wen Jiabao, called yesterday for
reforms that would allow more public scrutiny to
address the "problem of over-concentration of
power with ineffective supervision".
86Cadres
- The term cadre refers to a public official
holding a responsible or managerial position,
usually full time, in party and government. - The 7 May Cadre Schools were set up in late 1968,
in accordance with Mao Zedongs directive. - A cadre may or may not be a member of the CCP,
although a person in a sensitive position would
almost certainly be a party member.
87Great Leap Forward Movement
- Cadres and intellectuals, "sent down" from the
cities, would perform manual labor and undergo
ideological reeducation. - Cadres would take turns to go the villages or
grass-roots levels to gain first-hand experience
in productive work.
One by one, the 7 May cadre schools were closed
down they ceased to exist after the Cultural
Revolution.
88ChinaJudicial Branch
- The judicial system of the PR consists of the
- The Supreme Peoples Courts
- The Higher Peoples Courts
- The Intermediate Peoples Courts
- The Basic Peoples Courts
- The Basic Peoples Courts are comprised of more
than 3,000 courts at county level, which are
further subdivided into about 20,000 smaller
units referred to as peoples tribunals
89Chinas Court System
- Strictly speaking, China's judicial system only
refers to people's court system. - Generally thought to lack Rule of Law
Judges being sworn in at a court in Xian,
Shaanxi Province. Photo Reuters
http//en.chinacourt.org/
90Role of Chinas Supreme Court
- Trying cases that have the greatest influence in
China, hearing appeals against the legal
decisions of higher courts - Supervising the work of local courts and special
courts at every level - Giving judicial explanations of the specific
utilization of laws in the judicial process that
must be carried out nationwide.
91Supreme Court Terms
- The president of the Supreme People's Court is
elected by the NPC and remains in office for no
more than two successive terms with each term of
five years. - The deputy presidents of the Supreme People's
Court, members of the judicial committee,
presiding judges of affiliated courts and their
deputies, and judicial officers are appointed and
recalled by the Standing Committee of the NPC.
92The Higher People's Courts
- The Higher People's Courts are courts of
provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities
directly under the Central Government. - A higher people's court deals with cases of the
first instance assigned by laws and decrees,
cases of the first instance transferred from
people's courts at the next lower level, cases of
appeals and of protests lodged against judgments
and orders of people's courts at the next lower
level, and cases of protests lodged by people's
procuratorates.
93Higher Peoples Court Case
- Lawyers for Apple Inc. argued for its right to
use the iPad trademark in China on Wednesday
March 1, as a higher court began a crucial
hearing that could result in sales of the wildly
popular tablet computer being halted throughout
the Chinese mainland - The Higher People's Court of Guangzhou is hearing
an appeal by the U.S. firm after a lower court
ruled in favour of debt-laden Chinese tech
company Proview Technology (Shenzhen), which says
it owns the trademark in China.
http//tv.ibtimes.com/china-higher-court-hears-app
le-s-ipad-appeal/3798.html
94The Intermediate People's Courts
- They are the courts established in capitals or
prefectures in the provincial level. - The scope of jurisdiction by an intermediate
people's court covers cases of first instance
assigned by laws and decrees, cases of first
instance transferred from the basic people's
courts, and appealed and protested cases from the
lower court.
95The Basic People's Courts
- The basic courts, as the lowest level, are
normally located at the county, municipal
districts and autonomous counties. - The basic people's court adjudicates all criminal
and civil cases of the first instance except
where the law provides otherwise. - Besides trying cases, a basic people's court is
also responsible for settling civil disputes,
handling minor criminal cases that do not require
formal handling, and directing the work of the
people's mediation committees.
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97What major institution holds the key in China?
- The Party!
- Since Mao, control of the Communist Party is key
to maintaining control in China
98What major institution holds the key in Mexico?
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100Mexico- Central Government
- A Federal system established like the U.S. but
highly centralized - President Party POWER!
- Coalition of interests
- Co-optation (small group influence- related to
patron-client) - crime
- Political centralism
- Has deep roots and a long tradition
- Main Problem
- The Mexican government cant run the people like
a dictatorship and the people cant control the
government.
101Mexico- Federal System
- Federal government controls 85 of revenues.
- Mexico City spends 45 of budget
- Muncipio Libre
- Free autonomous local governments
- Not really!
- 32 states are divided by political interests.
- PAN has garnered its support base in local
governments
102Mexican Presidential System
- Powerful office with
- Six year term (Sexenio)
- BUT No Re-election
- Must be 35 years old
- Must be natural-born citizen of natural-born or
naturalized citizens - The candidate cannot have held a cabinet post or
a governorship, nor have been on active military
duty during the six months prior to the election.
- Priests and ministers of religious denominations
are barred from holding public office.
103Mexican Presidential System
- Presidents are directly elected by a simple
majority of registered voters in the thirty-one
states and the Federal District. - The president holds the formal titles of chief of
state, head of government, and commander in chief
of the armed forces
104The Mexican Presidency
- Critics have pejoratively labeled the presidency
the "six-year monarchy" because of the seemingly
unchecked power that historically has resided in
the office. - There is NO vice-president
- Much of the aura of presidential power derives
from the president's direct and unchallenged
control over both the state apparatus and the
ruling political party, the PRI.
105Power of the Mexican President
- Constitutional powers
- His veto cannot be overridden!
- President initiates, vetoes and decrees
legislation - System restricts his changes
- Pendulum politics (i.e. Portillos
nationalization of banks in 1982) - National Consultative Committee
- Made up of all ex-presidents
Enrique Peña Nieto
http//www.youtube.com/watch?vYobJc5cnk68
106Mexico- Executive Branch
- President handpicks cabinet
- 20 members
- Ministry of Government most powerful
- President selects successor
- El Tapado (The Hidden One) from small pool of
cabinet officers until Vicente FOX was elected in
2000. - Did Vicente Fox select one in 2006?
- Felipe Calderon in 2012??
107Mexican Patron-Client Relationship
- Mexican president is the supreme client of the
client-patron system - It follows the camarilla (political clique) who
vie for presidential power - Cabinet positions conciliates the losers
- Loyalty to office but not similar ideology
108Mexican Bureaucracy
- Very Powerful institution in Mexico
- PRI influenced in past and even today
- Controls municipalities/cities
- Uses Mordida and the spoils system
- The PRI bureaucrats also used the Three Pillars
of Society to control the government by dividing
the power and then uniting and merging the
factions - Major parts of PRI
- Campesinos (farmer or land worker)
- Peasants -- Drunk with Revolutionary fervor
- Land reform -- National Peasant Confederation
(CNC interest group) - Labor/labor unions
- Military
109Mexican Bureaucracy
- The Mexican Bureaucracy has to deal with poverty
and debt - Oil ( since the 1970s) makes money and also
expectations - PEMEX oil company largest
- Economy is concentrated in a few key areas
- Presidential success the economy is now tied
together! - Free trade status important-NAFTA
110Mexican Legislature
- A bicameral system that was updated by
Constitutional changes in 1993 - Senate-128 members- 6-year terms
- 96 elected in state lists 32 by PR
- Chamber of Deputies 500 members with a 3 year
term. - 300 Direct-election seats 200 by PR
- Both bodies used to be PRI controlled but now
filled with both PDR and PAN legislators. - The changes meant more seats for oppositional
parties - Senate at least 1/3 for non-PRI seats
- Chamber of Deputies no party will earn more than
300 of the 500 seats
111Mexican Legislature
- Term limits
- No consecutive re-election to legislative seats
- Function of Institution was originally used to
Legitimize the Presidency - A symbol to the people that the government will
be responsible. - BUT 80 of Presidents legislation was passed
pre-2000. - BUT this has changed since 2000 and Fox and
Calderon have experienced a non-conformist
legislature.
112Fox News Latino January 2012
- Mexican lawmakers said they would formally
complain to the attorney general's office Tuesday
after finding hidden microphones believed to have
been used to spy on the lower house of Congress. - The listening devices were found "in quite a lot
of offices, listening to and checking the
activities of lawmakers," said Armando Rios
Piter, president of the house's political
coordination committee, on Televisa channel. - It was unclear who was responsible but lawmakers
would release further information when possible,
a statement from the lower chamber said.
113Mexicos Judicial Branch
- The judicial branch of the Mexican government is
divided into federal and state systems. - Mexico's highest court is the Supreme Court of
Justice, located in Mexico City. - It consists of twenty-one magistrates and five
auxiliary judges, all appointed by the president
and confirmed by the Senate or the Permanent
Committee. - Mexican supreme court justices must be Mexican
citizens by birth, thirty-five to sixty-five
years old, and must have resided in Mexico and
held a law degree during the five years preceding
their nomination.
114Mexican Judicial System
- Spanish law with a sprinkling of U.S. common law
- Court system is elaborate
- Supreme Court
- 21 Justices
- 4 Chambers
- Highly politicized!!
- Corruption has always infiltrated the system
- Drug trade pays off in many cases
115What major institution holds the key in Mexico?
- Political Parties AND The Executive Branch
- Since 1917, control of Mexico was linked to
political party - PRI 1917-2000
- 2000 and beyond
- Uncertainty
116What major institution holds the key in Iran?
117What major institution holds the key in Iran?
- Islamic Law!!!
- The delicate melding of a theocracy and a
democracy
118An Islamic Republic
- Iran is a constitutional Islamic republic with a
theocratic system of government where ultimate
political authority is vested in a learned
religious scholar, the Supreme Leader. - Shia Islam is the official religion of Iran, and
Islamic law is the basis of the authority of the
state. - The Iranian Constitution guarantees freedom of
worship to Jews, Christians and Zoroastrians,
though they are sometimes the subject of
discrimination and repression.
119Iran A Theocratic Democracy
- Theocracy versus Democracy
- A theocracy needs a belief system intact
- A democracy believes in co-existence between
diverse groups. - Democracies think anybody can become an elite
- Theocracies promote religious elites.
- Iranian sovereignty needs both democratic ideals
and theocratic conformity - An intense complicated relationship!
120Iranian Institutions
- A mixture of Persian culture and Islams plethora
of assemblies - Many parallel organizations Political and
religious centered. - Clerics and Revolutionary Guard watches the army
and vice versa. - So who rules?
- That depends on what the decision is and the
timing
121- http//news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/middle_east/
03/iran_power/html/default.stm
122Executive Branch
- President
- A universally elected office holder.
- He needs a majority vote
- Term four year with two term limit
- Powers
- Selects cabinet members
- Presents legislation
- But shares rule with Supreme Leader
123Iranian Supreme Leader
- Chosen by the Assembly of Religious Experts.
- Trustee of community
- Ensures that all laws conform to Islam.
- Can overrule and dismiss President
- Appoints head of judiciary and ½ of the members
of the Guardian Council - Names top military commanders.
- Once, the highest ranking cleric, today and
established member of the clergy.
124Sowhos in Charge??
125The Guardian Council
- 12 member council (6-yr term) that can veto
legislation when it runs counter to Islamic
dogma. - Theoretically, an upper house of parliament.
- Screens all political candidates.
- Composition
- Six clerics and six lawyers who are selected by
judiciary w/ approval by Parliament
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127Assembly of Religious Experts
- Popularly elected but must possess cleric
pedigree. - Composed by 86 men who drafted 1979 Iranian
Constitution. - Evaluates performance of Supreme Leader
128Expediency Council
- Purpose
- Maintain the public interest (maslahat) of the
state. - Serves as an advisory body to the Supreme Leader,
making it one of the most powerful governing
bodies in the country. - Institution created in 1988
- 32 political personalities who resolve disputes .
- A co-democratic, co-theological body.
- 3 year term
- Comprised of
- 3 government leaders
- 6 Guardians
- 23 Supreme Leader appointees
- Has the authority to mediate disputes between
Majles and the Council of Guardians
129Iranian Legislative Branch
- Majles- Islamic Consultative Assembly
- 290 deputies
- Unicameral
- Four year term by direct and secret ballot.
- Feisty political arena that has taken on a
non-clerical representation - Purpose is to make statutes, not sharia.
- Investigative body-
- Selects 6 of 12 members of Guardian Council.
- Can remove cabinet members w/ vote of no
confidence. . .except President!!
130Iranian Judicial Branch
- Conservative body
- Institutes censorship
- Supreme Leader appoints head of judiciary
- A cleric
- Clerics interpret law
- Sharia is dominant.
- Penal Code
- Retribution law
- But state interests have intervened to temper
zealous judicial clerics. - Imprisonment has replaced corporal punishment as
sentencing of choice. - Hezbollahs and Bazaaris establish vigilante
justice
131Iranian Bureaucracy
- Controlled by president
- Nationalized industry, including oil.
- Learning Islam is a way into the budgetary
coffers. - Senior ministries are dominated by clerics
1322008-09 Budget
- Iran's parliament has approved a bigger budget
for 2008-09 totaling the equivalent of 310
billion, despite fears this will further stoke
inflation in OPEC's second biggest producer.
Each US dollar has been calculated at 9,095
rials.
133Iranian Military
- The Iranian military is a Pahlavi institution
(named for the Shah) - The Supreme Leader dictates this group.
- Revolutionary Guards keep a close eye and
protects the Republic - The Iranian military protects the borders
- A strange relationship!
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137The Revolutionary Guard
- The Iranian Revolutionary Guard was formed in May
1979, almost immediately after the revolution - It was set up by the then Supreme Leader
Ayatollah Khomeini to be the guardian of the
revolution. - The Revolutionary Guard was supposed to be a
people's army and was supposed to mobilize the
people of Iran in front of any foreign attacks to
Iran. - Now the Revolutionary Guard is something like a
political party - Have 80 seats in the parliament
- Have more than half of the members of the
cabinet. - Like the KGB because they have secret services
- Like a cartel or trust.
138(No Transcript)
139What major institution holds the key in Nigeria?
140(No Transcript)
141(No Transcript)
142Religious Demography and Diversity
- Religion has always played a major role in
Nigerian society, where there is a strong
relation between ethnic and religious identity. - Muslims account for nearly 50 percent of the
population. - Approximately 40 percent of Nigerians are
Christians - The remaining 10 percent practice indigenous
beliefs
143Religious Demography and Diversity
- Islam largely dominates the country's northern
region, home of the Hausa and Fulani ethnic
groups. - Christianity is the prevalent religion in the
south among the Yoruba and Igbo tribes, although
the southwesterly Yorubaland contains a more
diverse group of religions. - The mid-section of Nigeria remains mostly
neutral, with neither religion a majority.
144Nigerian Institutions
- An excellent model of presidentialism, be it a
military leader (or an occasional
democratic-elected leader). - Legislatures often discarded by military leaders.
- Once a parliamentary system following the GBs
unitary ways - Now a federal system following the U.S.s
presidential model - It is now the Fourth Republic derived from the
ethnic hierarchies prevalent through out Nigeria.
145The Executive
- North has dominated Executive branch since the
end of colonial period - Ethnic Pluralism has hampered central
presidential rule - Creating Presidential Zones (zoning out) has been
offered as an alternative but rent-seeking
might interfere - Politicians seek personal gain from powerful
positions.
146The President
- Popularly elected head of state and government
- Protector of Last Resort
- Also commander in chief.
- Term 4 yrs w/ two term limit.
- Functions
- Ceremonial and Administrative
- Appoints ministers (w/ Senate confirmation) but
must represent all 36 states. - Federal Executive Committee
- Ensures all laws are enacted nationwide
147President / Head Of State Duration Of Term
- Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa 1960 - 1966
- Chief Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe October 1, 1963
January 16, 1966 - Major General Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi
Ironsi January 16, 1966 July 29, 1966 - General Yakubu Gowon August 1, 1966 July 29,
1975 - General Murtala Ramat Mohammed July 29, 1975
February 13, 1976 - General Olusegun Aremu Okikiola Matthew Obasanjo
February 13, 1976 October 1, 1979 - Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari October 1, 1979
December 31, 1983 - Major-General Muhammadu Buhari December 31, 1983
August 27, 1985
148President / Head Of State Duration Of Term
- General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida August 27,
1985 August 27, 1993 - Chief Ernest Adegunle Oladeinde Shonekan August
26, 1993 November 17, 1993 - General Sani Abacha November 17, 1993 June 8,
1998 - General Abdulsalami Alhaji Abubakar (rtd.) June
9, 1998 May 29, 1999 - General (rtd.) Olusegun Aremu Okikiola Matthew
Obasanjo May 29, 1999 May 29, 2007 - Umaru Musa Yar'Adua 29 May 2007 May 2010
- Goodluck Jonathan May 2010-present
149The 6 Nigerian Geopolitical Zones
- North-Central
- Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, and
Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. - North-Eastern
- Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe.
- North-Western
- Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and
Zamfara. - South-Eastern
- Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo.
- South-South
- Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and
Rivers. - South-Western
- Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo.
150Power of the North-Central and North West Zones
- The North-Central Zone
- Generals Yakubu Gowon
- General Ibrahim Babangida
- General Abdusalam Abubakar
- North-West Zone
- General Murtala Mohammed
- General Muhammadu Buhari
- General Sani Abacha
- General Alhaji Shehu Shagari
- President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua.
151Proposed Constitutional Rotation of Offices
- The following 6 offices shall rotate among the
six geo-political zones - The office of the President
- The office of the Vice President
- The office of the Prime Minister
- The office of the Deputy Prime Minister
- The office of the President of the Senate
- The office of the Speaker of the House of
Representatives. - Had the above provisions been incorporated in the
1999 Constitution, two of the six geopolitical
zones would already have produced a President of
Nigeria and a third zone would have been looking
forward to producing the President in the next
dispensation. - The present controversy or argument as to which
geopolitical zone or group of geopolitical zones
or region should present the President would have
been more manageable.
152The Executive
- Under Nigerias federal system, states receive
large shares of the nations oil revenues and
have budgets rivaling those of other African
nations. - Those budgets can prove to be tempting targets
for graft in Nigeria, a West African nation
consistently ranked as having one of the most
corrupt governments in the world
153(No Transcript)
154President Jonathan dealing with terrorists in
January 2012
- President Goodluck Jonathan made a trip to Kano
following the devastating bomb attacks by Boko
Haram, which left more than 150 people dead. - He went to the military hospital and also met the
Emir of Kano and promised to defeat the
perpetrators of the attacks on the city. - The militant Islamist group says it was
responsible for the attack.
http//www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-16673548
155(No Transcript)
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157Nigerian Legislature- The National Assembly
- National Assembly is bicameral (U.S. model)
- Senate 109 3 per state 1 Fed Cap
- House 360 reps
- Male dominated body
- Both Popularly elected w/ 4 yr terms
- It approves the budget
- It can invoke impeachment proceedings.
- Passes laws w/ assistance from President
- Not a divided government
- President is patron of the Executive Branch, who
disperses the budget.
(This body is seeking legitimacy and a purpose !)
158Nigerian Judicial Branch
- Hierarchy of courts with Supreme Court at the top
- Follows British model.
- Common law courts AND Sharia courts
- Problems
- Political appointees can rob the judiciary of its
independence. - Military tribunals have circumvented the legal
process, belittling the concept of rule of law.
159Nigerian Military
- An intimidating national force.
- Six of 13 rulers have been Generals
- A great deal of ethnic based patronage, pacifies
the pluralism. - Almost more effective than political parties in
gaining support. - Been involved recently in peacekeeping operations
in and around Africa. - Is it the only institution that works?
160What major institution holds the key in Nigeria?
161What major institution holds the key in Russia?
162What major institution holds the key in Russia?
- The Executive!!
- FYI, as in most authoritarian societies
controlling the Military is key to maintaining
control in Russia
163Executive Branch
- FEDERAL system created in 1991
- Really a Unitary system with a federal title
- Original the constitution provided dual
leadership between the Federal Assembly and the
President. - Like France, Russias government has a prime
minister who is selected by the president to rule
the Federal Assembly.
164Executive Branch
- The winning candidate requires an absolute
majority of the total vote. - If no candidate secures this majority in the
first-round ballot, then a second-round run off
election must be held three weeks later in which
the only contestants are the two front-running
candidates in the first round. - The first President of Russia, Boris N. Yeltsin
was elected on June 12, 1991, by the nation-wide
vote, and on July 10 was inducted into office. - In 2000, Vladimir Putin, was elected by the
nation-wide vote and was sworn in again on May
7, 2004. -
165President of Russia Terms and Qualifications
- Originally limited to two 4-year terms
- Now limited to two 6-year terms
- A candidate for president must be a citizen of
Russia, at least thirty-five years of age, and a
resident of the country for at least ten years. - If a president becomes unable to continue in
office because of health problems, resignation,
impeachment, or death, a presidential election is
to be held not more than three months later. - In such a situation, the Federation Council is
empowered to set the election date.
http//www.russiavotes.org/president/presidency_el
ectoral_system.php
http//rt.com/politics/russia-nominates-presidenti
al-candidate-303/
166Executive Branch
- President -- supported by strong military
- Government requires the confidence of the
Parliament/Duma - President appoints Prime Minister w/ approval of
Duma. - If Duma doesnt approve after 3 attempts
- Dissolve Duma and hold new elections.
http//rt.com/politics/official-word/putin-q-and-a
-annual-session-785/
167