Institutional Foundations of Executive Politics: A Comprehensive Analysis

Executive politics plays a pivotal role in shaping the direction of a nation. The institutional foundations of executive politics provide the framework for how executive power is exercised and how decisions are made. This article explores the interplay between constitutional design, electoral systems, and political parties in shaping executive power and decision-making.

American Presidency, An: Institutional Foundations of Executive Politics (2-downloads)

by William G. Howell

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	23547 KB
Print length	:	576 pages

FREE

1. Constitutional Design

The constitution of a country establishes the basic framework for its political system, including the powers of the executive branch. The design of the constitution can have a significant impact on the way that executive power is exercised.

For example, in a presidential system, the president is directly elected by the people and has a fixed term of office. This gives the president a strong mandate and makes it difficult to remove them from office. In contrast, in a parliamentary system, the prime minister is elected by the legislature and can be removed by a vote of no confidence. This makes the prime minister more accountable to the legislature and less likely to act independently.

2. Electoral Systems

The electoral system used to elect the executive can also have a significant impact on the way that executive power is exercised. There are two main types of electoral systems: majoritarian and proportional.

In a majoritarian system, the candidate who receives the most votes wins the election. This system tends to produce strong, single-party governments. In a proportional system, seats in the legislature are allocated to parties based on their share of the vote. This system tends to produce coalition governments.

The type of electoral system used can affect the way that the executive interacts with the legislature. In a majoritarian system, the executive is more likely to have a strong mandate and be able to pass legislation without the support of other parties. In a proportional system, the executive is more likely to have to negotiate with other parties in order to pass legislation.

3. Political Parties

Political parties play a key role in shaping executive politics. Parties provide a platform for candidates to run for office and offer a way for voters to organize and express their preferences.

The number of parties in a system can have a significant impact on the way that executive power is exercised. In a two-party system, the two major parties are likely to have a strong hold on power and be able to pass legislation without the support of other parties. In a multi-party system, there are more parties competing for power, and it is more likely that coalition governments will be formed.

The ideology of political parties can also have a significant impact on the way that executive power is exercised. For example, a conservative party is likely to favor lower taxes and less government regulation, while a liberal party is likely to favor higher taxes and more government regulation.

The institutional foundations of executive politics provide the framework for how executive power is exercised and how decisions are made. The design of the constitution, the electoral system, and the political party system all play a role in shaping executive power and decision-making.

Understanding the institutional foundations of executive politics is essential for understanding how governments work and how decisions are made. By examining the interplay between these different institutions, we can better understand the dynamics of power and decision-making in the political process.

References

• Lijphart, A. (1994). Electoral Systems and Party Systems: A Study of Twenty-Seven Democracies, 1945-1990. Oxford University Press.
• Mainwaring, S., & Shugart, M. S. (1997). Presidentialism and Democracy in Latin America: Models and Myths. Cambridge University Press.
• Przeworski, A., Stokes, S. C., & Manin, B. (1999). Democracy, Accountability, and Representation. Cambridge University Press.

Image Credits

A photograph of a presidential election campaign rally.

A photograph of a parliamentary debate session.

A photograph of a political party convention.