Coalition Management in Presidential Regimes

Abstract

Multiparty presidential regimes provide fertile ground for examining coalition management. Importantly, only a president in a multiparty system must simultaneously manage: (1) the entire executive branch, (2) her own political party, (3) relations between constitutionally separate branches, and (4) a potential true multiparty cabinet. The president is clearly the head of any coalition even prior to formation and is more difficult to replace than a prime minister due to the lack of confidence votes and the existence of constitutional separation of origin and survival from the legislature. The president can often construct new cabinets in the middle of a term in a fairly unilateral manner, as well. A multiparty president is required to make a range of important management decisions due to these diverse, interrelated responsibilities of a political and administrative nature. Multiparty presidents often operate in difficult environments but are also often given considerable institutional tools and resources to overcome this fragmentation and to facilitate governance. Some presidents fall into the trap of treating resource distribution as the end itself, which is a situation that lends itself to political corruption. Other executives use their tools as a means to the end of achieving policy goals. Such executives may be concerned about politics and the spoils of office, but they also have sought the highest office in the land in order to implement certain policies. For these presidents, coalition management is an ongoing and complicated process. This panel aims at discussing how a president in a multiparty system might optimize outcomes in a complex and fragmented management environment.

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