System Of Govt Flashcards
What is the defining characteristic of a parliamentary system of government?
The executive is responsible to the legislature for its policies and acts.
How does the parliamentary system establish a ‘responsible government’?
Ministers are responsible to Parliament for their actions, and the executive can be removed by Parliament via a no-confidence motion.
Which branch of government is primarily responsible for policy implementation?
The executive (specifically the bureaucracy or administrative arm).
Does the bureaucracy play any role in policy formulation?
Yes, it is deeply involved in articulating and shaping policies, including identifying problems and setting the agenda.
According to J.S. Mill, what are the two criteria for good government?
- Promoting the common good (virtue/intelligence of the people). 2. Utilizing the capacities of the populace for the common good.
How does a presidential system differ from a parliamentary system regarding executive responsibility?
In a presidential system, the executive is not responsible to the legislature and is constitutionally independent regarding its term of office.
What is the bedrock principle of parliamentary government?
Collective Responsibility.
To whom are the ministers collectively responsible in India’s parliamentary system (Article 75)?
To the Parliament in general and the Lok Sabha in particular.
What does the principle of collective responsibility imply regarding the ministry’s survival?
The ministry acts as a team (“swim and sink together”), and the Lok Sabha can remove the entire ministry by passing a vote of no confidence.
Name three alternative terms used for parliamentary government.
Cabinet government, Responsible government, Westminster model of government.
What were the two main reasons the framers of the Indian Constitution adopted a federal system?
The large size of the country and its socio-cultural diversity.
Does the Indian Constitution use the term ‘federation’?
No, Article 1 describes India as a ‘Union of States’.
According to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, why was the phrase ‘Union of States’ preferred over ‘Federation of States’?
To indicate that: 1. Indian federalism is not the result of an agreement among states, and 2. States have no right to secede.
In India’s parliamentary system, how are the executive and legislature interdependent?
The legislature controls the executive (e.g., through collective responsibility), and the executive controls the legislature (e.g., majority party forms govt).
Under Article 253, can the Indian Parliament make laws on State List subjects to implement international treaties without state consent?
Yes.
In India, the executive (Council of Ministers) is typically drawn from where?
From the party or coalition of parties that commands a majority in the Lok Sabha.
Who heads the Council of Ministers in India?
The Prime Minister.
Who is the Head of State in India?
The President.
A person appointed as a Minister must become a member of either House of Parliament within what period if they are not already a member?
Within six consecutive months.
The Cabinet Secretariat functions directly under whom?
The Prime Minister.
Who is the administrative head of the Cabinet Secretariat?
The Cabinet Secretary.
How does the Indian Head of State differ from the British Head of State?
India’s Head of State (President) is elected (republican system), while Britain’s Head of State (Monarch) is hereditary.
