UK and French Government Structures

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Questions and Answers

What two houses make up the Parliament in the UK?

House of Commons and House of Lords (correct)

House of Representatives and Senate

National Assembly and Senate

House of Parliament and House of Commons

Which role does the Prime Minister serve in the UK government?

Head of state with veto power

Head of the Executive branch (correct)

Member of the House of Lords

Supreme Court Justice

What is a key power the President has in the French government regarding Parliament?

Can veto legislation at any time

Can dissolve Parliament once a year (correct)

Appoints the Prime Minister without vote

Must be a member of the National Assembly

Which entity has no executive power in the UK system?

The Monarchy Signup and view all the answers

What is the requirement for members of the government in the UK?

Must be members of Parliament Signup and view all the answers

What happens if a vote of no confidence is passed in the UK?

The Prime Minister must resign Signup and view all the answers

In which model of government do two heads of the executive state exist?

Semi-presidential model Signup and view all the answers

What describes a unitary state in terms of power distribution?

No vertical distribution of power Signup and view all the answers

How often is the Head of Government in Spain elected?

Every 5 years Signup and view all the answers

What initiates the motion of no confidence against the Prime Minister?

Motion of censure by parliament Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a federal state from a unitary state?

Power is distributed among territories Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a federal country in relation to its states?

States are recognized in the constitution and have their own legislative powers. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of a parliamentary system of government?

Monarchy can exist only within this system. Signup and view all the answers

What must the Prime Minister provide when initiating a question of confidence?

A rationale for the big decision Signup and view all the answers

Which feature is associated with unitary states?

Central government control over all regions. Signup and view all the answers

What form of state represents a structure that combines elements of both unitary and federal systems?

Decentralized state Signup and view all the answers

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

Presidential system Signup and view all the answers

In the context of federal states, what occurs in positive conflicts?

States seek more power and competence. Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates symmetrical federalism from asymmetrical federalism?

Symmetrical federalism features the same type and number of competences among all states. Signup and view all the answers

What is a feature of a semi-presidential system?

Both President and Prime Minister share executive functions. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of democracy allows direct participation from the people in political decisions?

Pure democracy Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly describes devolutionary federalism?

It involves a unified state that diverges due to regional diversity. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of registered votes must candidates secure to enter the second round of voting?

25% Signup and view all the answers

How many times do citizens vote in a presidential system?

Twice: for representatives and the President Signup and view all the answers

Which group elects the members of the Senate in France?

Both B and C Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes indirect democracy from direct democracy?

Indirect democracy has people vote for representatives. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential issue with cohabitation in a semi-presidential system?

It can cause disagreements between the President and Prime Minister. Signup and view all the answers

What is the total number of members in Spain's Senate?

266 Signup and view all the answers

How often are members of Congress of Deputies elected in Spain?

Every four years Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of parliament in a parliamentary system?

To provide confidence and support to the Prime Minister. Signup and view all the answers

In the US, how many electors are there in the Electoral College?

538 Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the Vice President in the US?

To continue the term if the President is unable Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly describes the Senate in Spain?

It consists of both autonomous and province senators Signup and view all the answers

What happens if the Senate vetoes a bill from Congress in Spain?

The bill can be overturned by Congress Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a tool used in indirect democracy?

Referendum Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a parliament?

Making laws Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a bicameral parliament?

Two chambers system Signup and view all the answers

In a majoritarian electoral system, what is often a significant consequence?

Minority votes can lead to overall wins Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'constituency' refer to in an electoral system?

An electoral district Signup and view all the answers

The 'spoiler effect' primarily occurs in which electoral system?

Majoritarian system Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of a proportional electoral system?

Seats are allocated based on the percentage of votes received Signup and view all the answers

Which of these statements about unicameral parliaments is true?

They consist of only one legislative house Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Separation of Powers

Three branches of government exist (Legislative, Executive, and Judicial)
Montesquieu developed the theory of separation of powers.
Legislative branch creates laws.
Executive branch enforces laws.
Judicial branch interprets laws.
Separation of powers also implies division of power among the branches.
Staff and personnel are separate among branches.

Separation of Powers in the USA

Legislative Branch: Congress (House of Representatives and Senate)
Executive Branch: President and US Federal Government
Judicial Branch: US Federal Courts (Supreme Court)

Checks and Balances

Veto power: President can veto legislation made by Congress. Congress can override the veto with a supermajority.
Pocket veto: The president can let a bill die if Congress adjourns within 10 days of submitting the bill.
Impeachment: Congress can impeach and remove the President for "high crimes and misdemeanors."
Judge nominations: The President appoints judges, requiring Senate approval.
Constitutional review: Judicial branch ensures laws are consistent with the Constitution. Laws deemed unconstitutional are returned to Congress for amendment.

Separation of Powers in the UK

Legislative Branch: Parliament (House of Commons and House of Lords)
Executive Branch: Prime Minister
Judicial Branch: Supreme Court
Checks and Balances: King-in-Parliament Acts (power of the Crown to approve acts made by Parliament). Acts of Parliament must have Royal assent, thus are approved by the Crown. King has no veto power but signs all legislation.

Separation of Powers in France

Legislative Branch: Parliament (National Assembly and Senate)
Executive Branch: President and Prime Minister
Judicial Branch: Supreme Court
Constitutional Council
Checks and Balances: relationship between President and Prime Minister, both elected separately. Checks and balances with the legislature ensuring sufficient support for government policies.

Parliamentary, Presidential, and Semi-Presidential Models

Unitary States: power is not divided among territories.
Regional/Decentralized States: power is divided between central and regional levels.
Federal Countries: power is divided between central and state or provincial governments.
Confederations: a loose union of states.

Parliamentary Model

Head of state: King or President
Head of Government: Prime Minister, elected by the parliament.
Parliament: strongest institution in the government.

Presidential Model

Head of State and Head of Government: President, elected by the people.
Parliament: elected separately from the executive, has no confidence vote mechanism for the president

Semi-Presidential Model

Separate head of state and government; President elected by popular vote
Head of government is the prime minister, elected by the parliament.

Direct and Indirect Democracy

Direct Democracy: citizens directly vote on issues.
Indirect Democracy: representatives are chosen to make decisions on behalf of the citizens.

Legislative Processes

Legislative Process: Initiate, amend, and veto laws.
House of Representatives and Senate are the representative houses of the US government

Parliaments

Different countries have different numbers of members, election methods, and terms of service for parliament members
House of Commons consists of 650 MPs elected every 5 years in the UK.
Congress has 435 representatives, elected every 2 years; and a senate with 100 senators with 6 year terms, elected every 2 years, to stagger the elections.
Parliaments in different countries have varying structures to balance power.
The US House of Representatives is elected every 2 years and the Senate is elected every 6 years.

Executive Power

Executive Branch holds executive power in differing levels among countries
Executive's power and responsibilities are varied among countries governed by different systems and approaches.
Executives vary in terms of their power concerning legislation and their influence on policy making.

Vertical Distribution of Power

Unitary countries: All power rests in the central government.
Federal countries: Power is divided between the central and regional governments.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the key aspects of the UK and French governmental systems. This quiz covers the functions of Parliament, roles of the Prime Minister, and characteristics of various government models. Delve into the intricacies of unitary and federal states and their implications.