Table 5.1
Constitutions at a Glance: Provisions for Selected Countries
Switzerland Germany France Mexico U.S. Federalism Federal is largest government unit ($) no yes yes yes yes Citizenship voted at local level yes no no no no Legislature Proportional representation yes yes yes no no Two chambers yes yes yes yes yes Term limits no no no yes no Executive Direct election no yes yes yes yes # Veto power no yes yes yes yes Single executive no yes yes yes yes Judiciary Executive appoints no yes yes yes yes Life appointment no yes yes yes yes Popular Access Initiative @ yes no no no no @ Referendum @ yes yes % yes % no no @ Have government answer a petition yes yes no no no Primary system * no no no no & yes Source: "Constitutions at a Glance," research memorandum, Alexis de Tocqueville Institution, 1999. Copyright © AdTl, all rights reserved.
Notes:
# -- U.S. termed a direct election system for practical purposes since (1) electors have little discretion, (2) results of unit-rule at state level seldom vary from national popular vote, and (3) executive is not normally chosen by members of the legislature.
@ -- at the federal level.
% -- infrequent and not mandatory for certain laws.
* -- not a constitutional provision unless indicated.
& -- Some parties in Mexico, including ruling party (PRI), plan primary system for its elections in 2000.