Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is a key characteristic of the British model of government?
What is a key characteristic of the British model of government?
Which feature is NOT associated with parliamentary government?
Which feature is NOT associated with parliamentary government?
In the context of parliamentary systems, what is normally expected of the prime minister?
In the context of parliamentary systems, what is normally expected of the prime minister?
What typically results from the plurality method of election in the British system?
What typically results from the plurality method of election in the British system?
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What role does the cabinet play in a parliamentary government?
What role does the cabinet play in a parliamentary government?
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How does the parliamentary government system differ in Norway and the Netherlands?
How does the parliamentary government system differ in Norway and the Netherlands?
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What is a common outcome of the proportional representation system employed by most European countries?
What is a common outcome of the proportional representation system employed by most European countries?
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What is a fundamental distinction of the executive in a parliamentary system compared to a presidential system?
What is a fundamental distinction of the executive in a parliamentary system compared to a presidential system?
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What is the primary role of the monarch in the political process?
What is the primary role of the monarch in the political process?
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What mechanism allows the ruling party to maintain control over the House of Commons?
What mechanism allows the ruling party to maintain control over the House of Commons?
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What happens when the opposition senses an advantage in Parliament?
What happens when the opposition senses an advantage in Parliament?
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What is a key characteristic of the cabinet in the UK political system?
What is a key characteristic of the cabinet in the UK political system?
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What is the significance of party discipline in the UK government?
What is the significance of party discipline in the UK government?
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In a strong party system like Britain’s, what motivates MPs to conform to the party line?
In a strong party system like Britain’s, what motivates MPs to conform to the party line?
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How did fascist leaders like Hitler and Mussolini use the party in relation to the state?
How did fascist leaders like Hitler and Mussolini use the party in relation to the state?
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What was the transformation of the SS in Nazi Germany after Hitler came to power?
What was the transformation of the SS in Nazi Germany after Hitler came to power?
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Study Notes
Parliamentary Government
- Parliamentary systems are variable, with two main variants: majority government and coalition government. Most European countries use proportional representation, leading to coalitions, unlike the British model's single-party majority.
- Key features of parliamentary government:
- Governing parties emerge from the assembly; ministers are typically members of the legislature.
- Heads of government (PM, Premier, Chancellor) and cabinets can be dismissed through a vote of no confidence.
- Executive is collegial, in a cabinet structure, with the PM as the first amongst equals. This contrasts with the single chief executive in presidential systems.
- In some parliamentary systems (Norway, Netherlands), ministers are not from the legislature, but are accountable to it. This classification still holds them as parliamentary.
British Parliamentary System
- Britain's system exemplifies a single-party majority government based on plurality electoral systems.
- Plurality voting often gives a clear majority to a single party in the House of Commons.
- The party leader becomes Prime Minister, selecting a cabinet from their party.
- The cabinet is crucial for accountability—even strong PMs need cabinet support/consensus. Weekly cabinet meetings are chaired by the PM.
- The monarch is largely ceremonial, interacting with the PM but not interfering in politics.
- Accountability is strong as ministers (including the PM) regularly need to defend policies, and the opposition can challenge through a vote of no-confidence.
- Party discipline gives the executive considerable control over the House of Commons. The party whips enforce this.
- MPs typically vote with the party line, especially for advancement within the party.
Personal Rule in Fascism
- Despite parliamentary structures, personal rule by a controlling leader commonly occurs, especially in fascist regimes like Nazi Germany.
- In fascist systems, the leader's personal authority overrules institutional structures.
- State and party institutions were tools serving the individual leader and are not well-defined or functional institutions of governance on their own.
- The interests of the party/state are defined by the dictator, putting dictator's directives above all others.
- Personal security forces (e.g., SS) emerge as extensions of the dictator and grow in power over the institutionalized force.
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Description
Explore the features and variants of parliamentary government, emphasizing the differences between majority and coalition systems. This quiz delves into the structures of European parliamentary systems and focuses on the British model of governance.
