Presidential System
Definition
A presidential system is a form of government where there is a separation between the executive and legislative branches, with an elected president serving as both head of state and head of government.
Analogy
Think of a company with a CEO who is elected by all employees. The CEO (president) has independent authority over decision-making, while other employees (legislative branch) focus on creating policies and laws separately.
Related terms
Separation of Powers: The division of governmental powers into three branches - executive, legislative, and judicial - each having distinct roles and responsibilities.
Executive Orders: Directives issued by the president that have force similar to laws but do not require approval from Congress.
Impeachment: The process through which an official, such as a president, can be charged with misconduct or abuse of power by Congress.
"Presidential System" appears in:
Study guides (2)
Additional resources (3)
Practice Questions (6)
- In a presidential system, the President is the:
- How is the president elected in a presidential system?
- In a presidential system, the President has the power to:
- In a presidential system, gridlock is typically:
- In a presidential system, the roles of the head of government and head of state are:
- In a presidential system, both the executive and legislative branches are elected by:
Resources
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.