In a presidential system, the head of state and the head of government are separate individuals. The president is typically elected by the public and serves as both the chief executive and the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The executive branch is responsible for implementing laws, while the legislative branch, usually a bicameral parliament, is responsible for making laws. An example of a presidential system is the United States.
In a parliamentary system, the head of state and the head of government are the same person, often referred to as the prime minister. The executive branch is typically a cabinet of ministers appointed by the prime minister and responsible to the legislature. The legislature, usually a unicameral or bicameral parliament, has significant power in law-making and can remove the government from power through a vote of no confidence. Examples of parliamentary systems include the United Kingdom and Canada.
In a semi-presidential system, there is a separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches, similar to a presidential system. However, the president's term is shorter, and the executive branch is less powerful compared to the legislature. The head of government, often a prime minister, is usually the leader of the majority party in the legislature. An example of a semi-presidential system is France.
In a unitary system, power is concentrated in the central government, which has the authority to make laws and administer the country. The central government is responsible for all aspects of governance, including national defense, foreign policy, and economic development. Examples of unitary systems include China and Russia.
In a federal system, power is shared between the central government and regional or state governments. The central government has authority over certain areas, such as national defense and foreign policy, while state governments have authority over other areas, such as education and healthcare. Examples of federal systems include Germany and India.
Valitsussüsteeme can also be classified based on the nature of the political culture and the level of democracy. For example, some systems may have a strong tradition of direct democracy, where citizens have a direct say in policy decisions, while others may have a more indirect form of democracy, where citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf. Additionally, some systems may have a more authoritarian nature, where power is concentrated in the hands of a single individual or a small group, while others may have a more democratic nature, where power is distributed more evenly among citizens.