The American Executive In Comparative Perspective

1
The American ExecutiveIn Comparative Perspective
2
Three systems, three executives

• Separated system/President
• Westminster system/Prime Minister
• Proportional Representation System/
• Prime Minister

3
Ten Potential Advantages

• Terms of the constitution
• Direct election by the people
• Security of tenure
• Effective leader of political party
• Control or influence within the legislature
• Control of appointments
• Structure of the executive branch
• Control of the civil service
• Public prestige
• Staff size

4
Terms of the Constitution
Separated system Westminster system PR system (Italy)
Strong Weak weak
5
Direct Election by the People
Separated system Westminster system PR system (Italy)
Strong Weak weak
6
Security of Tenure
Separated system Westminster system PR system (Italy)
Strong Moderate weak
7
Effective leader of political party
Separated system Westminster system PR system (Italy)
Weak Strong weak
8
Influence within the legislature
Separated system Westminster system PR system (Italy)
Weak Strong Weak
9
Control of appointments
Separated system Westminster system PR system (Italy)
Moderate Moderate moderate
10
Structure of the Executive Branch
Separated system Westminster system PR system (Italy)
Weak Strong Strong
11
Control of the civil service
Separated system Westminster system PR system (Italy)
Weak Moderate Weak
12
Public Prestige
Separated system Westminster system PR system (Italy)
Strong Moderate Weak
13
Staff Size
Separated system Westminster system PR system (Italy)
Large Small Large
14
US GB Italy
Terms of Constitution strong Weak Weak
Direct Election strong Weak Weak
Secure Tenure strong Mod Weak
Effective party leader Weak Strong Weak
Control of legislature Weak Strong Weak
Control of appointments Mod mod Mod
Control of civil service weak mod Weak
Public prestige Strong Mod Weak
Structure of exec branch Weak Strong strong
15
(No Transcript)