governments & parliaments

Question 1

head of government in parliamentary systems

Answer 1

head of government and the cabinet are dependent on confidence of parliament and can be dismissed any time

Question 2

head of government in presidential systems

Answer 2

head of government and the state is independent - cannot be dismissed from office and enjoys fixed terms

Question 3

what does executive is “collegial” mean?

Answer 3

in parliamentary systems, the consists of the prime minister and the cabinet

Question 4

what’s the status of ministers in a presidential system?

Answer 4

the executive is steered by one person; members of the exec serve as advisors

Question 5

head of state is…

Answer 5

monarch, or president (in practice, most of monarchs and presidents perform ceramonial functions)

Question 6

what are the ceremonial functions of a head of state?

Answer 6

1. symbolic (unity in a war)
2. procedural (opens session of parliament)
3. diplomatic

Question 7

only way you can remove a head of government in a presidential system?

Answer 7

impeachment

Question 8

presidential system advantages

Answer 8

provides stability
exec is democratically elected
the legislature can fully legislate
limited government
strong leadership

Question 9

presidential system disadvantages

Answer 9

danger of deadlock btw exec and leg
fixed terms make for a rigid system
favours poor chief executives
too much focus on one person

Question 10

semi presidential system

Answer 10

1. a directly elected president (head of state)
2. prime minister and cabinet answerable to the legislature
3. dual executive (both pm and president cooperate)

Question 11

which country gave us semi presidentialism?

Answer 11

france

Question 12

legislature same color as president….

Answer 12

system turns into presidentialism (pm will be inferior)

Question 13

legislature diff color president…

Answer 13

shifts towards parliamentarism, pm has an upper hand

Question 14

cohabitation

Answer 14

problems that arise when legislature and president are different colors.

Question 15

two types of governments in parliamentary systems

Answer 15

single party

coalition (decided after election through negotiations)

Question 16

golden rules for coalition formation

Answer 16

1. control majority of seats in parliament
2. not include unnecessary partners
3. have policy agreement

Question 17

3 ways in which golden rules of coalition rules are broken

Answer 17

1. minority governments (opposition might be so divided that it makes no sense to make a majority- no threat) OR to make policy concessions - chooses to stay in opposition to ask for concessions
2. including more parties than necessary
   (adds more legitimacy; creates stronger buffer against revolts of MPs; enhances policy connection)
3. coalitions aren’t always connected

Question 18

policy - seeking parties

Answer 18

no compromises to be in a coalition

Question 19

office- seeking parties

Answer 19

being in government is important (they are willing to change policies just to be involved)