Government Structures
and Systems
Politics 101
The National Democratic Institute
INTRODUCTIONS/
GROUND RULES
• Introductions
• Ground Rules
• Ice Breaker Exercise
OBJECTIVES
• To understand the various divisions and
levels of government and their roles/
responsibilities
• To learn how to address issues of
importance in your community
GOVERNMENT STRUCTURES
TOPICS
•
•
•
•
•
Constitutional framework
Divisions of government and roles
Parliamentary and presidential systems
Roles of elected and political leaders
Women in government
KEY TERMS
•
•
•
•
•
•
Politics
Governance
Executive
Legislative
Judiciary
Checks and balances
CONSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK
• What is a constitution?
• What is its role?
• Who must obey it?
GENDER SENSITIVE
CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS
A blanket equality clause
CEDAW and human rights treaties
Full and equal citizenship
Full and equal inheritance and land
rights
• Political quotas across sectors
• Temporary special measures
•
•
•
•
POLITICAL SYSTEMS
• Unified system vs. dual system
• President
• Head of government
PRESIDENTIAL SYSTEMS
• President
• Generally popularly elected
• 27 women presidents from 22 countries
Photo: Week of Women, NDI
PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEMS
• Prime minister
• Path to power is through party and
coalition governments
Photo: Julia Gillard, photograph by Glen McCurtayne
for The Sydney Morning Herald
DIVISIONS OF GOVERNMENT
• Executive
• Judicial
• Legislative
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
 Head of State
 Head of Government
 Cabinet
 Ministries
• Oversees implementation of laws and
administration of the country
• Women in the executive branch
JUDICIAL BRANCH
•
•
•
•
Interprets constitution and laws
Administers justice in resolving disputes
Promotes the rule of law
Independent
WOMEN AND JUDICIAL BRANCH
• Lack of access to the
judicial system
• Lack of women in
the judiciary
• Discriminatory laws
and judicial systems
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
• National legislature
- Upper and lower house
• Local legislative bodies
Photo: National Democratic Institute
ROLES OF POLITICAL ACTORS
•
•
•
•
Constituency
Government
Political parties and coalitions
Special interest groups
Photo: Marie-Ève_NDI-Pakistan
ROLES OF LEGISLATORS
•
•
•
•
Legislator
Committee member
Public servant
Party member
ROLES OF LEGISLATORS
• Legislator
• Analyze legislation
• Lawmaking
• Budgeting
• Committee member
• Committee work
• Public hearings
• Oversight of government
Photo: National Democratic Institute, Sierra
Leone
ROLES OF LEGISLATORS
• Public servant
– Constituent relations
– Outreach to
constituency
• Party member
– Parties in parliament
– Parliamentary groups
and caucuses
– Dealing with
opponents/opposition
Photo: National Democratic Institute, Cambodia
LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT
National
Provincial
Local
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
• Oversees local administration of:
– Services (medical, education, etc.)
– Policies
– Local taxes and budgets
• Should respond to citizens’ needs and
involve them in decisions
LOCAL LEVEL LEGISLATORS
Citizens
Local government
administration
Local councilors are the link
 Represent/advocate for community
 Maintain transparency
 Encourage inclusive policies
EXERCISE
Handling issues at the local level
Photo: Tassos C, NDI
WOMEN IN GOVERNMENT
Photo: Amy Hamelin, NDI
GOVERNMENT STRUCTURES
REVIEW
•
•
•
•
•
Constitutional framework
Divisions of government and roles
Parliamentary and presidential systems
Roles of elected and political leaders
Women in government
 Questions?
 Feedback?