Measuring presidential dominance over cabinets in presidential systems: constitutional design and power sharing

Araújo Silva, V. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5392-5646, Silva, T. and Vieira, M. (2016) Measuring presidential dominance over cabinets in presidential systems: constitutional design and power sharing. Brazilian Political Science Review, 10 (2). pp. 1-23. ISSN 1981-3821 doi: 10.1590/1981-38212016000200007

Abstract/Summary

This study focuses on the degree of political dominance exercised on cabinets by the executive chief in presidential systems. According to a debate that began in the 1990s, presidential systems are characterized by a non-collegial decision-making process, led by and personified in the figure of the president, in contrast to parliamentary systems where a joint decision-making process is prevalent. The key argument of this research note is that, although the majority of presidents have the constitutional power to remove cabinet ministers, the executive decision-making process in presidential systems is not necessarily vertical or based on a non-collegial process. By building a new index, we reveal a significant variation in the executive power exerted by presidents over their cabinets. To classify the degree of political dominance of presidents over their cabinets, we analyzed the rules of cabinet decision-making processes as defined in 18 Latin American constitutions.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/114816
Identification Number/DOI	10.1590/1981-38212016000200007
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Arts, Humanities and Social Science > School of Politics, Economics and International Relations > Politics and International Relations
Publisher	Brazilian Political Science Association
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