The Executive Branch
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- In the presidential system, the executive is elected separately
from the legislature. E.g., America.
- In the parliamentary system, the legislature is elected, and
chooses the executive from its members. E.g., the U.K., Japan.
- Some countries have a President, but the government is formed by
the parliament. The President has few, if any, executive powers.
He is "Head of State" (like the Queen of England). (But sometimes
his few powers can be important, e.g., he may be able to force
an election.) E.g., France.
- The incentives for the executive and the "civil service" bureacracy
differ substantially in the two systems, although there are many
similarities.
- Large companies have bureacracies, too. "Civil service" is
distinguished by protected employment, restricted bargaining power
(e.g., strikes are illegal), and restricted political rights
(may not participate in political campaigns, but can vote).
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