Government Functions and Organs Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is a common characteristic of a constitutional democracy?

Majority rule is absolute and unlimited.

Citizens have no direct role in governance.

The head of state is typically a monarch.

Powers of the majority are limited by a constitution. (correct)

In which type of democracy do citizens vote directly on each issue?

Representative democracy

Direct democracy (correct)

Indirect democracy

Constitutional democracy

What distinguishes a republic from other forms of government?

It is ruled by a monarch.

Offices of state are inherited rather than elected.

It considers the state as a private property of the ruler.

It is considered a 'public matter' where offices are elected or appointed. (correct)

Which form of government allows citizens to reserve the right for direct governance through initiatives and referenda?

Mixed democracy Signup and view all the answers

What describes a landed timocracy?

A system of government where citizenship is granted by land ownership. Signup and view all the answers

How does indirect democracy function?

Citizens select delegates to govern on their behalf. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately represents a feature of aristocracy?

Rule by wealthy citizens or noble classes. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding the relationship between democracy and republicanism?

Republican forms can include both democratic and aristocratic elements. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the legislature?

Making laws Signup and view all the answers

Which organ of government is most commonly referred to as the rule-making department?

Legislature Signup and view all the answers

What does the executive branch primarily do?

Implement laws Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the term 'nominal executive'?

An executive performing ceremonial duties Signup and view all the answers

How does the system of separation of powers function?

It divides functions among different organs Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for adjudicating disputes in the government structure?

Judiciary Signup and view all the answers

In which type of system may a monarch assume office through hereditary succession?

Monarchical system Signup and view all the answers

What is necessary for the social acceptance of government power?

Voluntary recognition by the people Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a unitary state?

Supremacy of the central parliament and absence of subsidiary sovereign bodies Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary characteristic of a federal government?

Distribution of powers between central and provincial governments Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an essential feature of federalism?

Supremacy of central parliament Signup and view all the answers

Which subjects are generally managed by the central government in a federal system?

Foreign affairs and defence Signup and view all the answers

What role does the Supreme Court play in a federal system?

It settles disputes regarding jurisdiction and ensures respect for the constitution Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a parliamentary form of government?

The strong connection between the legislative and executive branches Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following attributes does NOT belong to federal government characteristics?

Centralized administration in all aspects Signup and view all the answers

What is essential for the proper functioning of federalism?

A written constitution and clear division of powers Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of an absolute monarchy?

Supreme power concentrated in the hands of a single individual Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a singular executive from a plural executive?

The singular executive is led by one leader without power-sharing Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines an autocracy?

A regime where one person has concentrated power without legal restraints Signup and view all the answers

Which form of government places power in the hands of a small elite ruling class?

Aristocracy Signup and view all the answers

According to Plato, which form of government is associated with the rule of the few?

Oligarchy Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary objective of the judicial organ of the government?

To interpret law and deliver justice Signup and view all the answers

Which type of regime is characterized by governance through hereditary nobility?

Aristocracy Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is NOT typically a characteristic of an absolute monarch?

Limited power by elected officials Signup and view all the answers

What is the defining characteristic of federalism?

Sovereignty is constitutionally divided between central and regional authorities. Signup and view all the answers

What describes a unitary government?

Only central authorities have legislative powers. Signup and view all the answers

What is a critical implication of a unitary system of government?

Local authorities are subordinate to the central government. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes federalists?

Supporters of a system where power is shared between central and regional governments. Signup and view all the answers

How is power structured in a unitary government?

Power is divided but remains centralized in a single authority. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the powers of provinces in a unitary system?

Their powers can be changed or revoked by the central government. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a federal government from a unitary government?

Federal governments distribute powers between central and regional units. Signup and view all the answers

In a unitary state, what is the essential aspect of sovereignty?

Sovereignty is concentrated and undivided within the central authority. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Government

A government provides security, basic needs, and socio-economic development to its people.
A government is a set of institutions that exercise control through legal devices and imposes penalties on lawbreakers.
The government's power over people must be accepted voluntarily and recognized by them.

Organs of Government

A government typically divides its functions among its organs.
The three main functions of a government are making laws, enforcing laws, and adjudicating disputes.
The three organs of a government are the legislature (lawmaking), executive (implementation), and judiciary (interpretation and dispute resolution).
The separation of powers is the system of dividing authority among the three organs.

Legislature

The legislature is referred to as the rule-making department in comparative politics.
The legislature, often called parliament, is the most important organ of a political organization.
The primary function of the legislature is to frame laws.
The legislature should comprise representatives of the people since they govern by making laws for them.

Executive

The executive implements the laws made by the legislature.
The executive carries out various government policies.
The nominal executive is either a monarch or an elected President.
A nominal executive holds primarily ceremonial duties and limited to no power, even though the administration runs in their name.
A monarch can assume office through hereditary succession or direct/indirect election.
Some monarchs hold absolute power, functioning as real executives, while others are figureheads.
A real executive can be singular (one leader) or plural (a group of ministers).

Judiciary

The judiciary is known as the rule-adjudication department, responsible for administering justice.
The judiciary interprets laws and issues punishments for law violations.
The primary objective of any political system is to protect individual rights, a task performed by the judicial organ.

Classification of Government

Plato identified five types of regimes: aristocracy, timocracy, oligarchy, democracy, and tyranny.
Aristotle expounded on Plato's ideas, classifying regimes by who holds power: one person (autocracy), a few people (aristocracy), or the many (democracy).

Autocracy

In an autocracy, supreme power is concentrated in one person, with no legal restraints or public control.
Absolute monarchy, where a monarch governs with unlimited royal power, is a form of autocracy.
Most absolute monarchies are hereditary, but some are elected (e.g., the Holy See).
Other forms of autocracy include tyranny, despotism, and dictatorship.

Aristocracy

Aristocracy places power in the hands of a ruling elite, such as a hereditary nobility or a privileged caste.
This elite exercises minority rule, often as a landed timocracy, wealthy plutocracy, or oligarchy.
Many monarchies were aristocracies, though in modern constitutional monarchies, monarchs may have limited power.
The term also referred to non-peasant, non-servant, and non-city classes in the feudal system.

Democracy

Democracy is a system where citizens exercise power through voting and deliberation.
Direct democracy involves citizens forming a participatory governing body and voting directly on issues.
Indirect democracy involves citizens selecting representatives through elections (or sortition), who then form the governing body.
Some governments combine direct and indirect democratic governance.

Republics

A republic considers the country a "public matter" rather than the rulers' private domain.
In a republic, state offices are elected/appointed, not inherited.
The people (or a significant portion) have supreme control, and state offices are elected or chosen by elected people.
The head of state is not a monarch.
Different republics include democratic, parliamentary, semi-presidential, presidential, federal, people's, and Islamic republics.

Federalism

Federalism is a system where members are bound by a covenant with a governing representative head.
Federalism also refers to a system where sovereignty is divided between a central governing authority and constituent political units (states, provinces, etc.).
Federalism is based on democratic principles and institutions where power is shared between national and regional governments.

Division of Power as a Basis of Classification

Modern political regimes are classified based on territorial power distribution (how power is divided between the center and regions).
Two classifications based on power division are unitary and federal government.

Unitary Government

A unitary government centralizes power in one government.
It follows the principle of geographical centralisation of power.
The supreme authority is concentrated in a single organ or a set of organs at a central location.
In a unitary state, only the central body is legally independent, and other authorities are subordinate.
Sovereignty is undivided in a unitary state.
The Constitution of a unitary state does not allow other law-making bodies; it can legislate and administer all subjects without reservation.
However, this does not mean the government can make arbitrary decisions.

Unitary Government (continued)

Unitary states are often divided into provinces for administration, but these provinces lack autonomy.
The central government delegates power to the provinces, but can withdraw it whenever desired.
The two key qualities of a unitary state are the supremacy of the central parliament and the absence of subsidiary sovereign bodies.

Federal Government

Federalism is a form of government where power is shared between the central and provincial governments, each with defined areas of authority.
The national constitution divides power between the central government and the states.
Federalism is based on an agreement with essential features: a written constitution, division of powers, and an independent judiciary.
The constitution outlines the powers of the federal government and federating units and their rights.
Power is distributed between the center and federating units.
Subjects of national importance (defense, foreign affairs, railways, communications, and finance) are given to the central government, while subjects like education, health, and agriculture are handled by provincial units.
An independent institution (usually the Supreme Court) resolves disputes between the center and units and among units.
The Supreme Court ensures respect for the constitution's power distribution.

Legislative-Executive Relationship as a Basis of Classification

Political regimes are also classified based on the relationship between the legislature and executive departments: Parliamentary and Presidential forms of government.

Parliamentary Government

The parliamentary form of government evolved historically in Great Britain.

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Description

This quiz explores the essential functions and structures of government, including the roles of its three main organs: the legislature, executive, and judiciary. Test your understanding of how these components work together to provide security and enforce laws. Ideal for students studying political science.