Erik Moberg ã:
A Theory of Democratic Politics
 
 

23 - PRESIDENTIAL CONSTITUTIONS WITH MAJORITARIAN ELECTIONS: THE MAIN ACTORS' INTERACTIONS

In this system all main actors are likely to be individuals - we are not likely to find any party main actors. Therefore, although there are some similarities with the presidential, proportional system, there are also some differences.

The president's role is important for the same reasons as in the presidential, proportional setting, but it is considerably more difficult for the main actors in the legislature to co-ordinate their behavior. The reason, of course, is that individual main actors dominate in this system.

This means that the first two conclusions for presidential, proportional systems, as presented in part 19, will be the same here. Thus:

• The reactions to the proposals presented, whether they come from the president or the legislature, will to a large extent be uncoordinated. This means that the voting pattern, at least to a considerable extent, will vary from decision to decision. It also means that occasional majorities which are considerable larger than minimal winning should cause no surprise. It furthermore means that the political process will be continuos, rather than of the batch type. It also means that an organized opposition is unlikely.

• Proposals for new legislation require, in order to pass, the creation of decisive sets, and they will therefore, in fact, often come from the president. The president has an advantage in creating decisive sets.