Polity and Political Institutions Quiz
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Questions and Answers

Which of the following best describes political accountability in the context of governance?

  • A system where citizens can directly vote on all legislation.
  • A constitutional requirement for multiple parties to form a coalition.
  • The provision of constitutions that protect citizens from governmental interference.
  • Government officials are held accountable to the public and must answer for their actions. (correct)

    • What is the primary characteristic of a parliamentary system of government?

  • The executive derives its democratic legitimacy from, and is directly accountable to, the legislature. (correct)
  • Voters have a single vote for both the legislative and executive branches.
  • The president is directly elected by the citizens.
  • The separation of powers is strictly maintained between branches.

    • In which scenario is a vote of no confidence most likely to occur?

  • When major reforms are proposed that change the structure of government.
  • When elections are approaching and parties are vying for public support.
  • When a president is unable to fulfill their duty due to health issues.
  • When a legislature no longer supports the executive branch's policies or leadership. (correct)

    • What does the fusion of powers imply in a government structure?

    <p>Members of the executive branch also hold seats in the legislature.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes the political accountability of the executive in a parliamentary system?

    <p>The executive is politically accountable to Parliament.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement is true regarding the modification of constitutions?

    <p>Modifications require a qualified majority and sometimes a referendum.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In a presidential system, which of the following is true about the president's powers?

    <p>The president has strong legislative veto power.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which aspect differentiates the head of state from the head of government in a parliamentary system?

    <p>The head of government runs the cabinet and has executive powers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which feature is typical of parliamentary systems regarding the roles of ministers?

    <p>Ministers receive their mandate from Parliament.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary mechanism for removing a minister in a parliamentary system?

    <p>Motion of no-confidence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement about presidential systems is true regarding the relationship between the president and the legislature?

    <p>The president is directly elected and independent of the legislature.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a distinguishing feature of the classic parliamentary model as seen in many EU states?

    <p>Strong political parties and a fusion of legislative and executive powers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which type of system does the president serve as both the head of state and head of government?

    <p>Presidential system.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which region is noted for having particularly strong presidential powers compared to the checks and balances system?

    <p>Latin America.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is typically true of the relationship between governing and opposition forces in a parliamentary system?

    <p>Political conflicts emerge from the fusion of the executive and legislative branches.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a common characteristic of parliamentary systems?

    <p>The government can be removed by a vote of no-confidence</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What structure primarily defines a presidential system of government?

    <p>Regular election of head of state</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement is true regarding political accountability in a parliamentary system?

    <p>The government remains in power as long as it has the confidence of the parliament.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes a vote of no-confidence from a regular vote?

    <p>It specifically targets the legitimacy of the government.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which system would you likely find a fusion of powers?

    <p>Parliamentary system</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does the head of state predominantly play in a constitutional monarchy?

    <p>Serves primarily in a ceremonial capacity with limited powers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What feature is specific to a semi-presidential system?

    <p>A dual executive including both a president and a prime minister</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In a typical parliamentary system, which entity has the authority to dissolve the legislature?

    <p>The head of government with parliamentary approval</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following describes the relationship between the executive and legislature in a presidential system?

    <p>Independent with clearly defined roles</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key difference between a constitutional and an absolutist monarchy?

    <p>Constitutional monarchies typically feature stronger democratic processes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Polity and Political Institutions

    • Polity refers to the world of political institutions, which act as the framework or "skeleton" of a political system.
    • It encompasses all rules, organizations, bodies, and organs of political authority.

    Constitutions

    • A constitution is a set of written and unwritten rules that establish:
      • The duties, powers, and functions of various state institutions and regulate their relationships (system of government).
      • The relationship between the state and its citizens (rights and duties).
    • A constitution can also be narrowly defined as a single, authoritative document that codifies the major constitutional provisions, including:
      • The structure of government.
      • State symbols.
      • The main political institutions and the formal separation of powers.
      • The rights and duties of citizens.
      • The requirements for adopting and modifying the Constitution.

    Constitution Protection

    • Constitutions are typically difficult to modify and are often protected by Constitutional Courts.
    • Modifications may require qualified (super) majorities (3/5, 2/3, 3/4) and/or approval by referendum, two consecutive parliaments, two houses, or sub-national legislatures.

    Variety of Constitutions

    • The oldest active codified constitution is the United States Constitution, adopted in 1789.
    • The most recent constitution is Chad's constitution, adopted in 2023, with Gambia potentially joining this list soon.

    Parliamentary Systems

    • The legislature (parliament) has total primacy (supremacy) and unlimited legal power.
    • The executive (cabinet/government) is politically accountable to the parliament:
      • They are elected (invested) by a vote of confidence.
      • They are subject to scrutiny through questions, interpellations, committee hearings, and reports.
      • They can be dismissed by a motion of no confidence.
      • Individual ministers are responsible to parliament, receiving their mandate through a vote of confidence and subject to questions, interpellations, hearings, and potential dismissal by a vote of no confidence.
    • The head of state (monarch or president) is distinct from the head of government (prime minister) and has mostly symbolic powers, even if directly elected.
    • The head of state has weak legislative veto power (if any) and political decisions must be countersigned by members of the government.
    • The political leader of the executive branch is the prime minister/premier/first minister, who runs the cabinet/government/council of ministers.
    • The Westminster system is a classic (atypical) model for parliamentary systems.
    • Many EU states have adopted the Westminster model with differences in qualified majority rule, taxative competence lists, conflict of interest procedures, and vote of no confidence in individual ministers.
    • The fusion of the legislative and executive branches, along with strong political parties and disciplined MPs, transforms the legal and political conflict between parliament and the executive into a political conflict between governing and opposition forces.

    Presidential Systems

    • The executive is unitary, headed by the president, who is both the head of state and head of administration/government.
    • The president is elected independently of the legislature, usually through a direct popular vote, which grants them strong legitimacy.
    • However, the U.S. president is indirectly elected through the electoral college (of directly elected electors).
    • The president is not accountable to the legislature, meaning there are no questions, interpellations, or vote of no confidence.
    • Political accountability lies with the electorate, while legal accountability is through impeachment for serious violation of laws.
    • The president has broad competences and strong powers:
      • They direct and supervise the heads of ministries (departments) and other government agencies, who are accountable to the president.
      • They serve as the commander-in-chief.
      • They appoint leading officials.
      • They have a strong legislative veto (requiring a qualified majority to overcome).
      • They often have the power to dissolve parliament.
    • The U.S. presidential system is considered atypical due to its emphasis on checks and balances and its weak political parties.
    • Latin American, African, and Asian presidential systems typically have stronger presidents, with less emphasis on checks and balances and weaker congresses and territorial subunits.
    • Personalized parties (and often unfair competition + political clientelism) are also common features of these systems.

    New Systems of Government

    • The bitter experience of world wars, economic crises, fragmented party systems, and permanent government crises in Europe has led to the development of new systems of government.
    • The selection and legitimacy of the head of state determines the structure of government:
      • Hereditary head of state (or irregularly elected by special electoral bodies) with traditional authority leads to a monarchy (absolutist/constitutional/theocratic; e.g., Saudi Arabia/Benelux/Iran).
      • Regular election of the head of state with legal-rational authority leads to a republic.
    • The form of government (parliamentary or presidential executive) does not dictate the exercise of power, which can be either democratic or autocratic.

    Executives: Structure and Functions

    • Structure of Executives:
      • Head(s): President and/or prime minister/premier/chancellor.
      • Leading members: Cabinet ministers/ministers/secretaries.
      • Lower-level members: Ministers of state/state secretaries/under secretaries; political/parliamentary secretaries and their deputies.
    • Main Functions and Powers:
      • Heads of State: Nomination and appointment rights, representational and diplomatic functions, symbolic powers, right to pardon, award medals, and decorations. Have weaker powers in constitutional monarchies and parliamentary systems, but stronger in (semi)presidential systems.
      • Heads of Government/etc.: Run the government, propose or appoint ministers/secretaries, decide on units of government, determine political strategy and directions.
      • Government/Cabinet/Administration/Council of Ministers: Political planning, management, and coordination, influence on legislation and secondary law-making (bills and decrees), manage budgetary, welfare, foreign, and military policies, oversee the implementation of laws, and lead public administration.

    Systems (Forms) of Government

    • The structure of the executive and its relationship with the legislature determine the system/form of government.
    • Two Classical Forms:
      • Parliamentary: European (UK) tradition.
      • Presidential: American (US) tradition.
    • Two More Recent Forms:
      • Chancellor Type: German innovation.
      • Semi-presidential or Mixed: French Innovation.
    • Unique System:
      • Swiss Direct Democracy: Neither parliamentary nor presidential, but directorial system.

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    Description

    Test your knowledge on polity and political institutions with this engaging quiz. Explore the roles of constitutions, their functions, and their significance in regulating the powers of state institutions and citizens. This quiz will deepen your understanding of the frameworks that support governmental systems.

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