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 Photo: National Democratic Institute, Sierra
Leone

• Oversight of government
 ROLES OF LEGISLATORS
• Public servant
– Constituent relations
– Outreach to
constituency
• Party member Photo: National Democratic Institute, Cambodia

– Parties in parliament
– Parliamentary groups
and caucuses
– Dealing with
opponents/opposition
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

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