unit 5 Flashcards
‘A rigid notion of separation of powers is scarcely useful in accounting for the
actual operation of contemporary forms of government’.
The rigid notion of separation of powers is insufficient for explaining contemporary governance, as modern systems emphasize interdependence, cooperation, and pragmatic checks and balances, which blur the lines between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
Illustrate the distinctive elements and actual operation of dualist/monist forms of
government.
Monist forms of government, such as parliamentary monarchies, concentrate power within the parliament and cabinet, marginalizing the head of state, emphasizing interdependence through the confidence rule, party politics, and parliamentary dominance, in contrast to dualist systems where independent legitimacy chains exist between the executive and legislature.
Illustrate the distinctive elements and actual operation of semi-presidential systems.
Semi-presidential systems combine dualist and monist features by balancing two independently elected legitimacy chains—the president and parliament—where the president holds significant influence, the cabinet operates under parliamentary confidence, and the power dynamics vary based on political conditions, creating flexibility but also potential for conflict.
How is the cabinet structured? What are its main tasks?
The cabinet, typically led by a head of government and composed of ministers appointed based on political relationships, is responsible for policy formulation, legislative leadership, advising the head of state, crisis management, and representing the country internationally, while its tenure depends on maintaining the confidence of parliament.
What is the role of the head of state in a parliamentary form of government? What
is the function of the countersignature?
In a parliamentary system, the head of state serves a symbolic, neutral, and ceremonial role, with limited executive functions, while the countersignature mechanism ensures political accountability for official acts rests with the cabinet or ministers, not the head of state.
How is the cabinet formed in parliamentary forms of government?
In parliamentary systems, the cabinet is formed through processes that vary by model, including appointment by the head of state (e.g., UK), parliamentary investiture (e.g., Germany), or a combination of both (e.g., Italy), all of which depend on maintaining the confidence of the legislature.
What is ministerial accountability? Illustrate the main features of no-confidence
motions.
Ministerial accountability ensures government responsibility to parliament through collective and individual responsibility, with no-confidence motions allowing the legislature to challenge the government’s authority and potentially force its resignation.
What is a confidence question? What are its direct and indirect purposes?
A confidence question is a formal procedure initiated by the government to test parliamentary support, with direct purposes including reaffirming the majority’s backing, resolving political deadlock, and securing approval for proposals, and indirect purposes such as speeding up legislation, testing government stability, and demonstrating political strength.
Illustrate the purpose and constitutional constraints on the power to dissolve
parliament.
The power to dissolve parliament is used to resolve political deadlocks, realign government with public will, and restore stability, but it is constitutionally constrained by factors such as the role of the head of state, time limitations, parliamentary safeguards, and restrictions on political opportunism to maintain democratic accountability and institutional stability.
How does the US Presidential system operate under unified and divided
government?
In the U.S. presidential system, a unified government, where the same party controls the presidency and Congress, promotes efficient lawmaking and policy implementation, while a divided government, with opposing parties controlling different branches, often leads to gridlock, heightened scrutiny, and increased reliance on compromise and executive powers.
How has the French semi-presidential system evolved? What are its modes of
operation?
The French semi-presidential system has evolved from an initially ambiguous presidential role to a stronger executive dominated by the president during unified government, and operates in a more parliamentary-like manner during cohabitation, reflecting its dual design balancing executive power and parliamentary accountability.
