The Branches of

Government
There are main Branches of
Government.
 Executive Branch
• Is the institution that gaverns the state by implementing
laws and creating politicies and programs to respond to
the needs of the state.
• This branch is headed by the chief excuties such as the
president and prime minister.
 Legislative Branch
• Is the lawmaking institution of the government, also
known as the legislature. In a presidential system, the
government has a legislative branch distinct from the
executive branch, while in the parliamentary system, the
legislative and executive and branches are combined.
• The legislative branch also hold the “power of the purse”
since it enacts laws that impose taxes, and determines
how pubic funds will be spent through the government
budget.
 Judicial Branch
• Or the judiciary is composed of the courts that interpret
and apply the laws of the state.
• The judicial branch is tasked with hearing and deciding
cases of violations of the law.
• The three branches of government are considered to be
co-equal and separate, under the principle of:
Separation of powers – under this principle, each branch
has specific areas of responsibility. One branch cannot
unduly influence the actions and decisions of another.
Checks and balances – allows the branches to impose
certain limits on the powers of one another to prevent the
misuse or abuse of authority and power.
 Governance Explained
• Governance – refers to the process by which laws and
policies are enacted by government through the
implementation of programs that uphold the general
walfare.
• Governance also refers to how the various institutions of
government, from the local o the national level, work
together to successfully implement government policies
and programs.
Political Science in the Real World
• Analyzing and Understanding Politics and Governance –
Political scientists endeavor to use the concepts, theories, and
ideals related to politics and governance in analyzing and
understanding society.
• Paradigm – refers to the collected ideas and theories regarding a
certain phenomenon.
• Quantitative methods – rely heavily on statistics and hard data
which scientists analyze to discover information regarding a
certain political phenomenon.
• Qualitative methods – look beyond the numbers and endeavor to
provide a descriptive account of the political phenomenon.
• Multidisciplinary approach – is also called the
“interdisciplinary” approach
- it allows for the combination of different subjects during
one lesson or project.
- It can be also be an opportunity to team teach with
another teacher if so desired (although it is by no means
necessary).
-
 Applying our Knowledge to “Real
Politics”
• The study of politics provides us with a view of the
principles and ideals that influence the development of
politics and governance through the centuries.
- “Real life Politics,” however, shows us that certain
actions by government and individual politicians do not
necessarily conform to what we consider as ideal behavior.
• Realpolitik – which is politics that is primarily driven by the
current needs, circumstances, or the prevailing reality in the
state, instead of political ideals and moral and ethical standards.
- “Realpolitik” pertains to politics that uses force and violates moral
standards to achieve its goals.
* Political realism – believes that politics is defined by conflicting
interests among individuals and groups as they compete for power in
government and society.
• Complex interdependence – is a perspective which believes that
societies, governments, and states are all linked together through
economic and political activities.
• Global justice – believes that inequality is a realty. However, if also
stresses that it is the role of government to address inequality and
other social issues, and promote human dignity, justice, equality,
and adherence to the law.