PSCI100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Bicameralism, Presidential System, Responsible Government
22 Nov 2017
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Chapter 3: the presidential system: the presidential system was first devised in the us in 1787 as an alternative to the monarchial system. In the system of government, the committees of both houses of congress dominate the legislative process. The president: only elected officials on the ballot across the entire nation, is elected for a four- year term and is both head of state and government. As head of state the president greets foreign dignitaries and performs other ceremonial functions. As head of government the president is the chief executive officer. The president has the power to appoint the highest officials of the government: cabinet secretaries, ambassadors, federal judges, senior civil servants, and members of regulatory commissions. All these appointments rely on the advice and consent of the senate, the upper house of congress; a simple majority suffices. The president is responsible for the general conduct of foreign affairs and in particular is authorized to negotiate treaties with other states.
