Sovereignty Concepts and Characteristics Quiz

The principle that a nation has supreme authority within its territory, free from external control.

The idea that individuals have ultimate power and that the government derives its legitimacy from the consent of the governed.

Combining elements of representative democracy (elected officials) and direct democracy (referendums and initiatives).

The principle that the power of the parliament is supreme and not limited by any other institution, including the courts or the people.

A process where citizens vote directly on a specific issue or policy proposal, potentially influencing government decisions.

A large group of people who share a common language, culture, history, and often a sense of collective identity.

A sovereign state that rules over a defined territory, consisting of a nation or a group of nations.

The idea that the power of a nation state comes from the will of the people within that state.

The process by which distinct kingdoms or regions come together to form a single, unified nation state.

A significant event that took place in the 15th century, involving the marriage of Ferdinand and Isabel and the subsequent unification of Spain.

Administrative acts are based on existing regulations and cannot contradict them.

The branch of public law focused on preventative measures to safeguard public order, not a specific body.

The branch of private law focused on punishing violations of law.

The application of administrative power in general situations, without specific regulations.

The application of administrative power in specific situations, guided by precise regulations.

The principle that administrative measures must be justified, effective, and proportionate to the problem.

The state of emergency in France, allowing for extraordinary measures to prevent a real threat to public order.

The case that marked a landmark decision on the limits of governmental authority and the importance of individual liberties.

The principle that local governments should have control over their finances, allowing them to raise and manage their own revenue.

This article states that Italian regions enjoy 'own statutes' that define their powers and functions.

Regions that have more autonomy than other regions under Italian law, often due to unique geographic or linguistic features.

Exclusive responsibilities of the central government in Italy, such as foreign policy, social security, military matters, etc.

A shared responsibility between the central government and regional governments, where the state sets broad guidelines and regions implement details.

Regions with a standard legal framework, compared to those with specific statutes that provide greater autonomy.

A document outlining the organization and powers of a region under the Italian Constitution, encompassing its government structure, law-making process, and referendums.

This article emphasizes Italian unity while asserting the promotion of local autonomy and administrative decentralization in specific areas.

The process of introducing, debating, and passing laws by the Parliament, involving three readings in each house, amendments, and royal assent.

The principle that a government should be able to implement its legislative agenda without undue obstruction from the House of Lords. It implies that the House of Lords should not prevent the democratically elected House of Commons from enacting policies.

The power of the House of Commons to hold the government accountable by forcing a resignation, triggering a general election or self-dissolution. This power ensures that the government remains responsive to the will of the people.

A confidence motion is a vote in Parliament to determine whether the governing party or coalition still holds the confidence of the House.

Before 2011, the House of Commons could force the government to resign or call for a general election if they lost a confidence motion.

The Parliament Act 2011 granted the House of Commons the power to call for a general election, even if a confidence motion did not trigger it.

The House of Lords historically had a judicial function, with 12 Lords acting as judges. This function was separate from their legislative role. However, concerns arose about a potential conflict between their legislative and judicial roles.

The creation of the Supreme Court in 2005 transferred most judicial powers from the House of Lords to a separate judicial body, ensuring the separation of powers.

The principle of subsidiarity states that decisions should be taken as closely as possible to the citizen. This means that cantons in Switzerland should handle matters at the local level, and only refer to the federal level if the canton is unable to address the issue effectively.

Exclusive federal powers in Switzerland include areas like foreign affairs, defense, and overarching aspects of culture, education, and environmental issues. These are areas where a uniform national approach is considered essential.

Exclusive cantonal powers in Switzerland focus on specific aspects of culture and education, allowing regions to tailor these areas to their unique needs and preferences.

The Council of States in Switzerland represents the cantons, with each canton sending two representatives. These representatives are chosen according to each canton's individual rules, reflecting the diversity of Swiss political systems.

The separation of powers is a key democratic principle that divides governmental authority into different branches to prevent the concentration of power in one entity. This ensures checks and balances, promoting fairness and accountability.

The presidential system operates with a strict separation of powers, where the executive (president) and legislature (parliament) function largely independently. The parliament initiates laws, and there's no mechanism for the president to dissolve the parliament.

The parliamentary system features a flexible separation of powers, where the executive (government) is accountable to the legislature (parliament). The government can propose laws, and the parliament can dismiss the government, making it a more interconnected system.

In a strict separation of powers system, such as the presidential system, each branch of government operates independently with limited interaction. This ensures a clear division of authority, with no branch able to interfere with the operations of another.