Parliamentary system Flashcards
Explain what is the concept of Klèrotèrion?
The fact that in ancient Greece, parliament was decided through a draw. It was not mandatory, but only citizens born in Athens who agreed could be a part of the draw.
Why did the Greeks say that a draw was fairer than elections?
Because you are similar to people, you can hold them accountable because you know them and because there is a rotation
Why do we also call “Liberal Democracy” representative democracy?
Because we elect people who represent us.
Explain the 4 steps that took us from arbitrary rule to rule of law.
1- 1215 Magna Carta:
English Nobles complain about taxes, King John The First creates a council of Barons so they can approve the taxes.
2- British Parliament:
Create a house of commons and a house of lords
3- 1689 Bill of Rights:
Parliament now holds power over the monarchy
and now have constitutional and civil rights.
4- 1832 Responsible government:
accountability towards governement.
Explain the Westminster system.
It is a governement system created in britain. It’s 3 main points are that
1- single party majoriy rules
2- Executive branch is dominant in parliament
3- Governing party versus opposition
Name two other systems than the Westminster - where are they?
1- Proportional Representative system in Israel
2- Mixed-member proportional representative in Germany
Who is the head of state in Canada’s parliament system?
Queen or governor general
Who is the head of governement in Canada’s parliamentary system?
Prime minister
Who is in the executive branch?
Prime-Minister
Cabinet
Queen-in-council
How is the Cabinet representative of the population?
Geograpically and ethnic, gender, race, etc.
Who is in the legislative branch?
Senate, house of commons and Queen-in-parliement
Who is in parliement?
Senate and house of commons
What are the two main functions of parliement?
passing laws and keeping governement accountable
How do we call Canada’s system of parliament/rooms?
Bicamerality
Who is in the house of commons?
Every representative elected across canada
In theory, the house of commons controls the executive through ____ but in reality it is through_______
1- confidence
2- party discipline
True of false, some votes imply confidence. If yes, give and example, if no explain why?
Yes. Budget
What is the main difference in the Senate in a parliamentary system and presidential system?
In presidential: they are elected
In parliamentary: they are appoined by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister.
Why do people want to reform/abolish the senate in Canada?
Rarely disagree with laws- mostly just modify them.
they are not elected, not effective and not in equal number per province/territory
Who is the head of state and governemen in a presidential system?
Both are the president.
In a presidential system, who do the voters vote for - name the branch.
- Executive - president
- Legislative - Senate
- Legislatve - house of representative
The US congress is ______ to the Canadian _____
equivalent
parliament
Who is the had of state and head of governement in a semi-presidential system? give 3 examples of state
head of state: president
head of government: prime minister
France, Ireland and Russia
