What is a superpresidential republic? Device features and examples

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:44

All states have different arrangements. Sometimes we get confused when reading or listening to the opinions of political scientists explaining the current configuration on the world stage. And the questions, it turns out, are extremely subtle. For example, some say that the Russian Federation is a super-presidential republic. Do you agree? Do you understand what it is and what it leads to? Let's find out.

General concepts

To determine what a super-presidential republic is, it is necessary to study the structure of the country as a whole. States are republics and monarchies. In the first case, power theoretically belongs to the people, in the second - to one person or family. Republics are also not the same. They are usually classified according to the distribution of responsibilities between the legislative and executive branches. For example, in a parliamentary republic, the main body is formed on the basis of the results of a plebiscite. He controls the executive power, decides which waydevelop the country. In the presidential office, the head of state has more powers. This is enshrined in the Constitution. In general, the democratic system assumes that all the rules of life are prescribed in laws - special documents. There are, however, exceptions. For example, the British Parliament never bothered to create a constitution. It does not exist in printed form.

Features of the super-presidential republic

Let's return to the studied state. It is distinguished from others by the fact that all power is concentrated in the hands of the first person. Of course, a super-presidential republic can also have elected bodies. But their powers are limited. Only what the president decides is legal. This person has uncontrolled power, which has its pros and cons. Only the people can empower their leader and take them away. Although some historical examples show that not everyone succeeds in depriving the president of power. That is, a dictatorship is coming in the country. An example is post-revolutionary Russia before the creation of the USSR. The state proclaimed for a certain period the dictatorship of the proletariat. It was a special system for establishing the power of the people, breaking the old monarchical order. But it cannot be considered that it was a super-presidential republic. After all, this provision should be reflected in the basic law. This is currently happening in Latin American countries. More about them.

Leader of the Nation

It should be noted that in order to createthe described system needs objective reasons. The people should perceive it naturally, support it. The super-presidential republic, examples of which we will find on the map of Latin America, is characterized by a particularly reverent attitude of the population towards its leader. He is considered the "father of the nation". This man has unlimited power. If in others society is trying to build a system of balances, then the super-presidential one is simpler. The head of state cannot be controlled at the official level by courts or parliamentarians. He reports for his activities only to the voters, who often lead him to the top of the board. Leadership is elected by direct vote. That is, there are no mechanisms that help the leader communicate with the people. That is why the device is called "super-presidential republic".

Country examples

Political scientists name twelve states in which super-presidential rule is constitutionally enshrined. We list them: Brazil, Haiti, Venezuela, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, El Salvador. It is only necessary to say that these countries have signs of a super-presidential republic. They are legislated. This is reflected not only in the powers of the leader of the country, but also in the attitude of the people towards him. The fact is that uncontrolled power provides not only advantages. Its reverse side is the exactingness of the voter. After all, it was he who brought the president to power. Hence,is a tough and demanding judge.

How does such a state arise

Science claims that it is impossible to form the described connection between the people and the leader out of the blue. This requires a special cultural basis. It originated in Latin American countries. The recognized leader there received power through a coup (sometimes armed). Some sources argue that such a process is characterized by a lack of legitimacy. One can argue with this. After all, the people legitimize power. And since the majority is for its leader, why is it undemocratic? Critics also argue that the super president is forced to operate in a continuous emergency. If she calms down, then the level of his powers goes down. This is also controversial. After all, the power of the leader is enshrined in the constitution. For example, Peru's basic law contains a clause authorizing the president to "personify the nation."

Conclusions about Russia

Having understood in general terms how a super-presidential republic differs from other forms of government, a person should understand what idea the political scientists who call Russia this way are investing in. They are enemies of the Russian Federation, trying in this way to split the society, to prevent its consolidation. The President of the Russian Federation has many powers. They are fixed by law. But calling Russia super-presidential is groundless or illiterate. All branches of power work in the country, democratic counterbalances have been created.