Parliamentary system

Question 1

Explain what is the concept of Klèrotèrion?

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

Why did the Greeks say that a draw was fairer than elections?

Answer 2

Because you are similar to people, you can hold them accountable because you know them and because there is a rotation

Question 3

Why do we also call “Liberal Democracy” representative democracy?

Answer 3

Because we elect people who represent us.

Question 4

Explain the 4 steps that took us from arbitrary rule to rule of law.

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

Explain the Westminster system.

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Name two other systems than the Westminster - where are they?

Answer 6

1- Proportional Representative system in Israel

2- Mixed-member proportional representative in Germany

Question 7

Who is the head of state in Canada’s parliament system?

Answer 7

Queen or governor general

Question 8

Who is the head of governement in Canada’s parliamentary system?

Answer 8

Prime minister

Question 9

Who is in the executive branch?

Answer 9

Prime-Minister
Cabinet
Queen-in-council

Question 10

How is the Cabinet representative of the population?

Answer 10

Geograpically and ethnic, gender, race, etc.

Question 11

Who is in the legislative branch?

Answer 11

Senate, house of commons and Queen-in-parliement

Question 12

Who is in parliement?

Answer 12

Senate and house of commons

Question 13

What are the two main functions of parliement?

Answer 13

passing laws and keeping governement accountable

Question 14

How do we call Canada’s system of parliament/rooms?

Answer 14

Bicamerality

Question 15

Who is in the house of commons?

Answer 15

Every representative elected across canada

Question 16

In theory, the house of commons controls the executive through ____ but in reality it is through_______

Answer 16

1- confidence

2- party discipline

Question 17

True of false, some votes imply confidence. If yes, give and example, if no explain why?

Answer 17

Yes. Budget

Question 18

What is the main difference in the Senate in a parliamentary system and presidential system?

Answer 18

In presidential: they are elected

In parliamentary: they are appoined by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister.

Question 19

Why do people want to reform/abolish the senate in Canada?

Answer 19

Rarely disagree with laws- mostly just modify them.

they are not elected, not effective and not in equal number per province/territory

Question 20

Who is the head of state and governemen in a presidential system?

Answer 20

Both are the president.

Question 21

In a presidential system, who do the voters vote for - name the branch.

Answer 21

1. Executive - president
2. Legislative - Senate
3. Legislatve - house of representative

Question 22

The US congress is ______ to the Canadian _____

Answer 22

equivalent

parliament

Question 23

Who is the had of state and head of governement in a semi-presidential system? give 3 examples of state

Answer 23

head of state: president
head of government: prime minister
France, Ireland and Russia