The Republic of Chile is a representative democracy with a presidential republic type government. Citizens elect civil servants and government representatives every four years. The government is divided into three independent branches: the executive, the legislature and the judiciary. The national capital of Chile is Santiago, where the La Moneda Palace is the seat of government. Also in Santiago is the Palace of the Courts of Justice, which houses the judicial power of Chile. West of Santiago is the port city of Valparaiso, home to Chile's National Congress, where the country's laws are drafted and amended. Say no to plagiarism. Get a Custom Essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get an Original Essay Within the executive branch, the president administers both the state and the government. The presidential election requires an absolute majority vote in a two-round system. The president can appoint or dismiss members of the Cabinet, ambassadors, provincial and regional authorities, the Comptroller General of the Republic, judges of the supreme and appeal courts and commanders in chief of the armed forces. The President will act as commander in chief of the armed forces in times of war. The President can also introduce bills, implement laws, and submit constitutional amendments. Legislative functions are exercised by the bicameral National Congress: 38 members of the Senate and 120 members of the Chamber of Deputies, elected through a closed-list majority system based on the size of the population of the constituency. This system also requires 40% female candidates. This branch also ensures that laws are enforced by the government. The Supreme Court of the Judiciary is composed of 21 judges appointed by the president with the approval of the Senate. The Court of Appeal or Court of Appeal is also part of the judiciary; military courts; and the Constitutional Court. The Supreme Court has authority over appellate and lower courts, but not over constitutional and electoral courts. There is no jury trial in Chile, but the constitution guarantees citizens the right to legal assistance. Chile is an active player within the Latin American Group. Chile maintains good relations with its neighboring countries within the Andean Community of Nations, the Community of Democracies, the Economic Commission for Latin America, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, the Inter-American Development Bank, MercoSur, the Organization of American States, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the Central American Integration System, the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) and the Latina Union. Colombia, Mexico and Peru also formed the Pacific Alliance with Chile. Chile maintains diplomatic relations with almost all states and bilateral relations with the Security Council as well as with most states in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and the West. Chile has supported collective action at the United Nations since becoming a member on October 24, 1945. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Chile participates in different specialized agencies, such as the Conference on Disarmament, Food and Agriculture Organization, International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes, International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, International Monetary Fund, International Union of.