This document provides an overview of government structures and systems. It discusses the constitutional framework that defines the divisions of government, including the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. It also compares parliamentary and presidential systems and the roles of elected leaders within them. Specific topics covered include gender provisions in constitutions, political actors like parties and interest groups, and the different levels of government from national to local. The goal is to help understand how to address issues through the various levels and divisions of government.

1. Government Structures
and Systems
Politics 101
The National Democratic Institute

2. INTRODUCTIONS/
GROUND RULES
• Introductions
• Ground Rules
• Ice Breaker Exercise

3. 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

4. GOVERNMENT STRUCTURES
TOPICS
• Constitutional framework
• Divisions of government and roles
• Parliamentary and presidential systems
• Roles of elected and political leaders
• Women in government

5. KEY TERMS
• Politics
• Governance
• Executive
• Legislative
• Judiciary
• Checks and balances

6. CONSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK
• What is a constitution?
• What is its role?
• Who must obey it?

7. 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

8. POLITICAL SYSTEMS
• Unified system vs. dual system
• President
• Head of government

9. PRESIDENTIAL SYSTEMS
• President
• Generally popularly elected
• 27 women presidents from 22 countries
Photo: Week of Women, NDI

10. 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

11. DIVISIONS OF GOVERNMENT
• Executive
• Judicial
• Legislative

12. EXECUTIVE BRANCH
• Oversees implementation of laws and
administration of the country
• Women in the executive branch
 Head of State
 Head of Government
 Cabinet
 Ministries

13. JUDICIAL BRANCH
• Interprets constitution and laws
• Administers justice in resolving disputes
• Promotes the rule of law
• Independent

14. WOMEN AND JUDICIAL BRANCH
• Lack of access to the
judicial system
• Lack of women in
the judiciary
• Discriminatory laws
and judicial systems

15. LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
• National legislature
- Upper and lower house
• Local legislative bodies
Photo: National Democratic Institute

16. ROLES OF POLITICAL ACTORS
• Constituency
• Government
• Political parties and coalitions
• Special interest groups
Photo: Marie-Ève_NDI-Pakistan

17. ROLES OF LEGISLATORS
• Legislator
• Committee member
• Public servant
• Party member

18. ROLES OF LEGISLATORS
• Legislator
• Analyze legislation
• Lawmaking
• Budgeting
• Committee member
• Committee work
• Public hearings
• Oversight of government
Photo: National Democratic Institute, Sierra
Leone

19. 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

20. LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT
National
Provincial
Local

21. 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

22. LOCAL LEVEL LEGISLATORS
Citizens Local government
administration
Local councilors are the link
 Represent/advocate for community
 Maintain transparency
 Encourage inclusive policies

23. EXERCISE
Handling issues at the local level
Photo: Tassos C, NDI

24. WOMEN IN GOVERNMENT
Photo: Amy Hamelin, NDI

25. 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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