Unit 13 Parliamentary System Flashcards
parliamentary system
close interrelationships b/w political executive and parliament (legislative)
tl;dr, the PM & his cabinet are tight wit the lawmakers
executive branch made up of House of commons
responsible government
political executive (PM and cabinet) are accountable for their actions
must retain the support of the elected members of Parliament to remain in office
Parliament
legislative, elected body of government
the House of Commons
passing laws, approving the spending and taxing plans
majority government
PM’s party has a majority of seats in the House of Commons
minority government
single party governs, but they need the support of one other party to pass legislations and stay in office
coalition government
two or more parties jointly govern, share cabinet positions
head of state
ceremonial position
responsibility to ensure that a legitimate government is in place
governor general
person who carries out the duties and responsibilities of the monarch at the national level
chooses leader of the party
approve all legislation, appointments, executive decisions
always acts on the advice of the PM and his cabinet
lieutenant governors
carries out duties and responsibilities of the monarch at a provincial level
prerogative powers
powers of the monarch that have not been taken away by parliament
dissolution
termination of parliament by holding an election for the House of Commons
prorogation
suspension of parliament by governor general at the PM’s request
head of government
person who heads the executive side of gov’t
usually the PM, and is responsible for choosing the Cabinet
cabinet
members of the political executive branch
led by PM, each Cabinet minister has a responsibility of heading a certain gov’t department
executive domincance
parliamentary system with lots of power in the hands of the PM and the Cabinet
they can control the House of Commons, esp when there’a majority gov’t
Privy Council Office (PCO)
administrative structure, directly responsible to Canadian PM
organizes Cabinet
tries to coordinate/direct activities of gov’t
provides policy advice to PM
Prime Minister’s Office (PMO)
office that supports and provides advice to PM
prime ministerial government
view that PM has become dominant member of the political executive
not “first among equals”
Ministers of State
cabinet members who are not responsible for a particular government department
treasury board
permanent cabinet committee with own staff & minister
responsible for expenditure and management practices in gov’t
cabinet solidarity
each member of the Cabinet is expected to fully support and defend the decisions and actions that Cabinet takes
central agencies and central departments
organizations that provide direction and coordination to gov’t
PCO, PMO
collective responsibility
Cabinet as a group will defend, explain, take responsibility for the actions of the gov’t
cabinet secrecy
view expressed in Cabinet remain secret to enable full and frank discussion and maintain cabinet solidarity
