Divided Government in Comparative PerspectiveRobert Elgie Divided government occurs when the executive fails to enjoy majority support in at least one working house of the legislature. To date, the study of divided government has focused almost exclusively on the United States. However, divided government occurs much more widely. It occurs in other presidential systems. Moreover, it is also the equivalent of minority government in parliamentary regimes and cohabitation in French-style semi-presidential systems. This book examines the frequency, causes and management of divided government in comparative context, identifying the similarities and differences between the various experiences of this increasingly frequent form of government. The countries studied include Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, Poland, and the US. |
Contents
| 1 | |
2 Divided Government in the United States | 21 |
Executives and Legislatures in Ecuador | 40 |
The 19972000 experience | 63 |
From a SemiPresidential to a Parliamentary Democracy | 86 |
Divided Government FrenchStyle | 106 |
7 Divided Government in Poland | 127 |
The Case of Denmark | 146 |
The Case of the Bundesrat | 167 |
10 Divided Government in Ireland | 182 |
11 Divided Government in Comparative Perspective | 209 |
| 226 | |
| 239 | |
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administration alternative argued arithmetical basis become behaviour bills branches budget Bundesrat cabinet candidates causes cent Chamber Chamber of Deputies chapter co-operation coalition cohabitation committee comparative Congress constitutional context decisions deputies divided government economic Ecuador effect electoral example executive experience explanations factors failed federal Fianna Fáil Finally force foreign formal four France frequently given gridlock head held important increased independent influence institutional Ireland issues leaders least legislative legislature less limited majority means minority governments Moreover occasions occur opposition parliament parliamentary particular party pass People's period political position preferences president presidential election presidential systems prime minister reasons reform regimes relations relatively remained represented Republic result role rules seats Senate sense situation Social Democrats Table term unified government veto vote voters