Unit 7 Flashcards
cabinet Secrecy
The convention that views expressed in Cabinet remain secret to enable full and frank discussion and maintain cabinet solidarity.
Cabinet
Consists of members of the parliamentary executive that were selected by the prime minister to lead major governmental departments.
Checks and Balances
Checks and balances is a political concept designed to prevent the concentration of power by distributing it among different branches of government. In a system with checks and balances, each branch (executive, legislative, and judicial) has some measure of influence over the other branches, ensuring that no single branch becomes too powerful.
Cohabitation
Sharing of power between the French president and French prime minister that occurs when the assembly is controlled by a party opposed to the president.
Collective responsibility.
The convention that the cabinet as a group will defend, explain, and take responsibility for the actions of the government in Parliament.
Congress
The legislative branch of the American government consisting of the house of representatives and the Senate
Department
A department is a facet of the government that is responsible for a particular area of responsibility that falls under the jurisdiction of either the provincial or federal government.
Coalition government
When no party has gained the majority of seats in the house of Commons, two or more political parties may be elected to form a coalition government in which the respective parties share the responsibility of government such as cabinet minister election, and what policies the government will pursue
Minority Government
A single party governs, but does not hold the majoirty of the house of commons seats. thus, minority governments needs to gain the support of one or more other parties to pass legislation and to stay in office.
Governor General
The person who carries out the duties and responsibilities of the Monarch at the national level in canada
Head of Government
The person who heads the executive side of government and is usually responsible for choosing the Cabinet. In Canada, the prime minister is the head of the Canadian government, while the heads of provincial governments are known as premiers.
head of state
In a parliamentary system, the head of state is an important but largely ceremonial position, but has the responsibility to ensure that a legitimate government is in place.
Impeachment
a process by which a president and other public officials can be removed from office after being accused of criminal behavior and convicted by a legislative body.
Westminster model
The Westminster system is a parliamentary model of government derived from the United Kingdom’s political system. It features an executive branch formed by the majority party or coalition in the lower house of parliament. The head of government, usually the prime minister, is drawn from this majority. The head of state, often a constitutional monarch, has a ceremonial role.
Constitutal Monarchy
A system of governing in which the monarch acts as the official head of state but is strictly limited in power by the constitution.
President
The president is both the head of state and the head of government in a presidential system.
Prime Minister
The leading figure within the Canadian Cabinet. the prime minister determines who will be appointed to the cabinet and may change responsibilities of any cabinet minister or demand a cabinet minister resignation.
Privy Council Office
An administrative structure that is directly responsible to the Canadian PM and has a central role in organization the cabinet and coordinating and directing the activities of government. They also provide policy advice to the prime minister.
responsible Government
A governing system in which the political executive is accountable to parliament for its actions and must retain the support of the elected members of parliament to remain in office
Secretary of state
The Secretary is state is a member of the president cabinet who manages foreign relations on the behalf of the president
separation of Powers
A essential feature of the presidential system in that the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government are separate from one another, with each having different personell and bases of authority
parliamentary system
A governing system with a close interelationship between the political executive, and parliament. the executive is generally composed of members of the house of commons, and must maintain the support of the House of commons
Presidential System
A system of governing in which the president and Congress each separately derive their authority from being elected by the people and have a fixed term of office.
treasury board
A permenant cabinet committee with its staff and minister that plays a significant role in governing Canada because of its responsibility for government expenditure.
Presidental veto
the ability of the president to prevent the passage of a bill. It grants the president the authority to veto laws passed by congress and can only be stopped by a 2/3 majority vote in each body of congress.
Vice president
the vice president is the running mate of the president during the electon period. the vice president serves as the president of the Senate but does not vote unless they are needed to break a tie in the Senate.
