Presidentialism: Models in the North and South

In her lecture,  Mariana Llanos (German Institute for Global and Area Studies GIGA-ILAS) explores the diversity of presidential models in the North and South. Although presidentialism originated in the constitutional model of the United States and was adopted across Latin America during the XIX century, the similarities are largely limited to its core features: a directly elected president, fixed terms, and a formal separation of powers. Beyond these shared traits, presidential systems across the Americas display considerable institutional variation. Presidents differ significantly in their constitutional powers, legislative prerogatives, decree authority, veto powers, and influence over cabinet formation and policymaking. Equally important, presidentialism operates within very different party systems, from the two-party system of the United States to the fragmented and multiparty systems that prevail in much of Latin America. These variations shape executive-legislative relations, coalition-building, and government, and even democratic stability. 

The lecture concludes by examining the challenges presidential systems face in an era marked by increasing personalism, political polarization, and democratic erosion.