Executive Power: Elected And Appointed

In a democratic country, the executive branch of the government is generally organised into two categories: a parliamentary system and a presidential system. The parliamentary system is characterised by the majority party in the legislature forming the executive branch, headed by a prime minister. On the other hand, a presidential system has a head of government, usually called a president, who is elected separately from the members of the legislature. Both systems have unique characteristics and are designed to uphold democratic principles and ensure that power is derived from the consent of the governed.

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political-executive'-is-elected-by-the-people-for-a-fixed-term'>The 'political executive' is elected by the people for a fixed term

In a democratic country, the executive is the part of the government responsible for enforcing the law. It can be structured as a branch of government, as in liberal democracies, or as an organ of the unified state apparatus, as in communist states. The scope of executive power varies depending on the political context, and it can change over time. Limitations are often applied to the executive in democratic countries.

The political executive is a vital component of the executive in a democratic country. They are elected by the people for a fixed term and are directly accountable to the public. They are responsible for running the state and deciding on policies, frameworks, and principles. Political executives make decisions in areas such as finance, education, and health, and they set the fundamental values of a nation, such as liberty, equality, and justice. They also play a crucial role in fostering good relationships between different ministries and departments within the state.

Political executives are chosen by the people through an electoral process and serve for a specified period, typically four to five years. In India, for example, the political executive includes the President, Prime Minister, and Council of Ministers. They are the elected representatives of the citizens and hold positions of nominal and real power. After their fixed term, they must face re-election, making them answerable for their performance during their tenure.

The political executive's fixed term in office ensures democratic principles are upheld, as it provides a defined period for the winners of an election to hold power while also setting a clear timeline for when the losers can seek executive power again. This structure helps maintain a balance of power and prevents the concentration of authority in a single group or individual.

Presidential systems

A presidential system, also known as a strong-president or single-executive system, is a form of government where a head of government, usually called the "president", leads an executive branch that derives its authority from a source separate from the legislative branch. This system was popularized by the Constitution of the United States, which came into force in 1789, making George Washington the first president under this system.

The presidential system is characterized by the separation of powers between the executive and the legislature. The president is directly or indirectly elected by citizens and is not responsible to the legislature, which cannot dismiss them except in extraordinary cases. This is in contrast to a parliamentary system, where the head of government (usually called a prime minister) derives their power from the confidence of an elected legislature, which can dismiss them with a simple majority.

The presidential system has its roots in the governance of British colonies in the 17th century, specifically in what is now the United States. The Pilgrims established a system with an independent executive branch, choosing a governor and assistants annually, along with other executive officials. The first true presidential system was developed during the United States Constitutional Convention in 1787, influenced by colonial governments, English Common Law, and philosophers such as John Locke and Montesquieu.

The presidential system has spread beyond the United States, becoming the dominant political system in the Americas. Several Latin American countries modeled their constitutions after the United States following their independence from Spain in the 19th century. Brazil, for instance, adopted the presidential system in 1889. The Philippines established the first presidential system in Asia in 1898, and it has since been adopted by other Asian countries like South Korea, Indonesia, and Syria.

Advocates of presidential systems highlight their democratic nature, the advantages of separation of powers, the efficiency of a unitary executive, and the stability provided by fixed terms. However, critics argue that presidential systems can lead to gridlock, make it difficult to change leadership, and may give way to dictatorship. Some political scientists claim that presidential systems struggle to sustain democratic practices and have often slipped into authoritarianism.

Parliamentary systems

A parliamentary system is a democratic form of government in which the party (or a coalition of parties) with the greatest representation in the parliament (legislature) forms the government, with its leader becoming the prime minister or chancellor. The parliamentary system is the dominant form of government in the European Union, Oceania, and throughout the former British Empire, with other users scattered throughout Africa and Asia.

The first parliaments date back to Europe in the Middle Ages. The earliest example of a parliament is disputed, especially depending on how the term is defined. The Icelandic Althing, which first gathered around 930, is one of the earliest examples of a parliament. The first written record of a parliament was in 1188 when Alfonso IX, King of Leon (Spain) convened the three states in the Cortes of Leon. The Corts of Catalonia were the first parliament of Europe to officially obtain the power to pass legislation. An early example of a parliamentary government developed in today's Netherlands and Belgium during the Dutch revolt (1581), when the sovereign, legislative and executive powers were taken over by the States General of the Netherlands from the monarch, King Philip II of Spain.

In the 17th century, the Parliament of England pioneered some of the ideas and systems of liberal democracy, culminating in the Glorious Revolution and the passage of the Bill of Rights in 1689. By the 19th century, the Great Reform Act of 1832 led to parliamentary dominance, with its choice invariably deciding who was prime minister and the complexion of the government.

In a parliamentary system, the head of government (usually called a prime minister) derives their power from the confidence of an elected legislature, which can dismiss the prime minister with a simple majority. The legislative function is conducted through a unicameral (one-chamber) or bicameral (two-chamber) parliament composed of members accountable to the people they represent. A prime minister and the ministers of several executive departments of the government primarily carry out the executive function. The judicial function is typically independent of the legislative and executive components of the system.

In most parliamentary systems, there is a special constitutional court that can declare a law unconstitutional if it violates the provisions of the supreme law of the land, the constitution. However, in a few parliamentary systems, such as Great Britain, New Zealand, and the Netherlands, there is no provision for constitutional or judicial review, and the people collectively possess the only check on the otherwise supreme legislature, which is to vote members of the majority party or parties out of office at the next election.

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Separation of powers

The separation of powers is a key principle in democratic countries, and it is primarily associated with presidential systems of government. This system of governance is characterised by a distinct separation of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government.

The presidential system has its roots in the British colonies of the 17th century, which would later become the United States. The colonies were permitted to govern themselves, establishing a system with an independent executive branch, a colonial legislature that chose a governor, and additional executive officials. This early model inspired the development of the presidential system during the United States Constitutional Convention in 1787, drawing on the ideas of philosophers such as John Locke and Montesquieu.

The United States Constitution, which came into force in 1789, established a clear separation of powers. The legislative power is vested in Congress, which has the power to create laws and statutes. The executive power rests with the President, who enforces the laws passed by the legislature. Finally, the judicial power is held by the Supreme Court and any lower courts created by Congress, which interpret the laws and review the actions of the other two branches.

The separation of powers is intended to prevent the concentration of power in a single branch of government, thus preserving individual liberty and protecting against arbitrary and oppressive government action. Each branch has separate powers and is generally not allowed to exercise the powers of the other branches. However, there is also an element of interdependence and shared powers among the branches. For example, while Congress can override the President's veto with a supermajority vote, the President can also be impeached and removed by Congress.

While some advocate for the democratic nature and stability provided by presidential systems, critics argue that they can lead to gridlock and difficulty in changing leadership. Additionally, there are concerns about the potential for a unitary executive to give way to dictatorship or authoritarianism. Despite these concerns, the presidential system has been adopted by several countries, particularly in the Americas, following their independence from Spain.

Constitutional authority

In a democratic country, the executive branch derives its authority and legitimacy from a source separate from the legislative branch. This is known as the separation of powers, which is a characteristic of constitutional democracy.

Constitutional democracy is a form of government where the people are the ultimate source of authority, and their sovereignty is reflected in the political system. It is characterised by popular sovereignty, where the government's right to govern is derived from the consent of its citizens. Citizens in a constitutional democracy are full and equal members of a self-governing community, endowed with fundamental rights and responsibilities. They are expected to participate effectively in the political processes and uphold the fundamental principles and values of democracy.

The executive branch in a constitutional democracy is typically headed by a president or a prime minister. In a presidential system, the president is directly or indirectly elected by the citizens and is not responsible to the legislature. The authority of the executive branch is separate from the legislative branch, and the president cannot be dismissed by the legislature except in extraordinary cases. On the other hand, in a parliamentary system, the prime minister is chosen from among the members of the legislature and derives their power from the confidence of the elected legislature, which can dismiss them with a simple majority.

The role of the executive branch in a constitutional democracy is to enforce the laws made by the legislative branch. The executive branch is also responsible for ensuring the protection of the rights of all citizens, including the minority. The constitution acts as a check on the power of the executive by limiting majority rule and protecting minority rights. It ensures that the rights of the minority are respected and that they can freely criticise the majority and attempt to replace their representatives in the next election.

In summary, the constitutional authority in a democratic country is derived from the people, who elect their representatives to form the executive branch. The executive branch is headed by a president or prime minister and is responsible for enforcing laws and protecting the rights of all citizens. The authority of the executive is limited by the constitution, which ensures the protection of minority rights and prevents the tyranny of the majority.

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