Deck 20: Parliamentary and Presidential Systems

Question 1

Which of the following problems would be dealt with by the executive branch of government?

A) Creating effective laws to regulate open-pit mining in the Northwest Territories.
B) Resolving a conflict that occurs when a foreign mining company questions the legitimacy of the new open-pit mining laws.
C) Reforming and revising legislation on open-pit mining after protests by residents living by a mine in the Northwest territories.
D) Collecting and redistributing taxes and royalties collected from foreign mining companies.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Which of the following problems would NOT be dealt with by the legislative branch of government?

A) Creating effective laws to regulate open-pit mining in the Northwest Territories.
B) Hearing submissions by mining companies about the economic impact of proposed revisions to current regulations governing open-pit mining in the Northwest Territories.
C) Reforming and revising legislation on open-pit mining after protests by residents living by a mine in the Northwest territories.
D) Collecting and redistributing taxes and royalties collected from foreign mining companies.

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Logically,which of the following is the most likely cause of the American departure from the British system of government?

A) Americans were upset with the British for the casualties of the revolution.
B) Americans wanted to ensure that a person or institution with supreme power would never again rule over them.
C) Americans wanted to be ruled by what would effectively be an elected monarch.
D) Americans wanted to be rid of the political involvement of the nobility.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

What does the term "separation of powers" refer to?

A) the division of authority between different regions in a federal system
B) the division of authority between political parties, the bureaucracy, and the executive
C) the division of authority between federal, provincial/state, and local governments
D) the division of authority between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government

Question 5

What was James Madison's main political accomplishment?

A) He was the chief designer of the parliamentary system of government.
B) He described a system of government characterized as separated institutions sharing power.
C) He drafted the Declaration of Independence.
D) He favoured the centralization of government power in one sovereign body.

Question 6

What is the principle that most clearly distinguishes the parliamentary system from the presidential system?

A) constitutionalism
B) rule of law
C) majority rule
D) responsible government

Question 7

Which of the following statements about the executive in Canada is NOT true?

A) it does not include the House of Commons
B) it consists of the Crown, the prime minister, and the cabinet
C) it is made up entirely of elected officials
D) it has the capacity to introduce both policy and money bills

Question 8

What was the principle of separation of powers designed to do?

A) make sure the president adheres to party discipline
B) minimize the possibility of arbitrary government
C) stop Congress from interfering with budgetary matters
D) ensure the president's freedom to appoint Supreme Court judges

Question 9

Which of the following government structures would James Madison most likely support?

A) A system where the head of state had constitutional powers over economic affairs.
B) A system where the courts, the legislatures, and the executive all had separate roles and powers.
C) A system where the head of government was also an elected member of the legislature.
D) A system where different political institutions had separate, but not exclusive, powers and responsibilities.

Question 10

The argument could be made that congressional committees are more democratic than cabinet.Which of the following points would this argument be based on?

A) All members of congressional committees are directly elected by the people.
B) The decisions made by congressional committees are more transparent than those made during cabinet meetings.
C) Congressional committees debate legislation before it is put to a vote in the House.
D) Congressional committees have the ability to stall legislation.

Question 11

What is accomplished through the principle of "responsible government"?

A) The Crown, in being accountable to parliament, is not accountable to the general electorate.
B) The Crown, in having the support of parliament, can consolidate all political power.
C) The Crown, by only acting with the support of parliament, is also theoretically acting with the support of voters who are represented by members of the House.
D) The Crown is able to limit the powers of the legislative assembly.

Question 12

Which of the following assumptions is the idea of a separation of powers most likely based on?

A) Given too much power, there is no guarantee that a leader will remain committed to the rule of law.
B) No single institution can handle all aspects of government.
C) People with different expertise will be drawn to different institutions.
D) Making laws should be the responsibility of the representatives of the people, not appointed judges.

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the presidential system of separation of powers?

A) separated powers sharing institutions
B) separated institutions sharing powers
C) separated governments sharing powers
D) separated institutions sharing government

Question 14

In the Canadian parliamentary system,under which offices are the legislative and executive powers effectively united?

A) the prime minister and cabinet, but not the Crown
B) the cabinet and the Crown, but not the prime minister
C) the Crown and the prime minister, but not the cabinet
D) legislative committees

Question 15

"The delicate balance of institutions in the presidential system minimizes the possibility of unilateral actions by an arbitrary government." Why is this statement true?

A) Because elections are held at different intervals, ensuing the balance of power is always shifting.
B) Because political institutions in the presidential system cannot without some level of support from other branches of government.
C) Because it best describes the function of a parliamentary system rather than a presidential system.
D) Because the presidential system is known for the fusion of power and cabinet government.

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a power of the chief executive in American government?

A) power to appoint ambassadors
B) power to conduct foreign affairs
C) power to appoint senators
D) power to command to the army

Question 17

In some political systems the cabinet is regarded as part of the legislative apparatus,in others it is not.Which of the following is true?

A) In Canada and the U.S., the cabinet is part of the legislative apparatus, but in Britain it is not.
B) In Britain and the U.S., the cabinet is part of the legislative apparatus, but in Canada it is not.
C) In Canada, the cabinet is part of the legislative apparatus, but in Britain and the U.S. it is not.
D) In Canada and Britain, the cabinet is part of the legislative apparatus, but in the U.S. it is not.
E) In Canada, the U.S., and Britain, the cabinet is part of the legislative apparatus.

Question 18

Which of the following is a main characteristic of the executive in a presidential system?

A) Members are held directly accountable to the voters who elect them.
B) It holds less power over domestic affairs than the executive in a parliamentary system.
C) It is dependent on the legislative branch for tenure of office.
D) It is more powerful domestically than the executive in a parliamentary system.

Question 19

A foreign mining company is heavily fined for breaking laws regulating open-pit mining practices.The CEOs of the company want to challenge the fine because it was their understanding that they were not breaking any laws.They also believe the laws to be economically unsound and scientifically unnecessary.Which branch of government should the CEOs deal with to have the fine revoked?

A) legislature
B) judiciary
C) executive
D) senate

Question 20

There is criticism that the parliamentary process has become dominated by the executive.Executive dominance in a parliamentary system is made possible by which of the following practices?

A) parliamentary committees
B) caucus meetings
C) party discipline
D) free votes

Question 21

Who represents the Crown in Canada?

A) the monarch, Governor General, and Lieutenant Governors
B) the Governor General, Solicitor General, and Lieutenant Governors
C) the Prime Minister, Governor General, and Lieutenant Governors
D) the monarch, Prime Minister, and Governor General

Question 22

How is membership in the Canadian Senate decided?

A) regional elections, the Senate being a regional institution
B) hereditary right, as in its counterpart, the House of Lords
C) direct election
D) appointment by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister

Question 23

In Canada,which functions are performed by the head of state?

A) assenting to legislation, dissolving parliament, selecting the Speaker of the House
B) assenting to legislation, dissolving parliament, choosing the cabinet
C) dissolving parliament, choosing the cabinet, selecting and dismissing the prime minister
D) assenting to legislation, dissolving parliament, selecting and dismissing the prime minister

Question 24

What was the model for the Canadian parliament?

A) the Webster model
B) the Westminster model
C) the Regina model
D) the American system of government

Question 25

The British Parliament Acts of 1911 and 1949,as well as proposed reforms to the House of Lords support which of the following ideas?

A) Parliament should be controlled by elected representatives.
B) Parliament should be influenced by members who were appointed based on political merit, not elected based on popularity.
C) Parliament should be distinct from the monarchy.
D) There should be a separation of church and state.

Question 26

Why might the Canadian Senate considered to be a less democratic institution than the House of Commons?

A) The Senate delays legislation.
B) The Senate and Senate committees have made alterations to legislative proposals.
C) The Senate is appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister.
D) The Senate membership is decided by regional elections, the Senate being a regional institution.

Question 27

Which of the following constitutes the Canadian parliament?

A) Congress, Crown, House of Commons
B) Crown and House of Commons
C) Congress, Senate, Crown
D) Executive, House of Commons, Senate

Question 28

What is the Canadian parliamentary system composed of?

A) the Senate, the House of Commons, and the prime minister only
B) the House of Commons and the prime minister only
C) the cabinet, the Crown, the House of Commons, and the Senate only
D) the Senate, the Crown, the House of Lords and the prime minister only

Question 29

Which of the following aspects of Canadian parliamentary democracy is most essential for an effective Official Opposition?

A) election of majority governments
B) possibility of coalition governments
C) free votes
D) parliamentary sessions ended by regular elections

Question 30

A parliamentary government,on occasion,may allow members to vote according to their conscience.However,what is usually imposed in order to maintain a majority and confidence in the House?

A) an official opposition
B) a party caucus
C) party discipline
D) responsible government

Question 31

What can be said to exist in a parliamentary system where ministers are members of parliament and are required to maintain the political support of a working majority in the popularly elected house of the legislative assembly?

A) coalition government
B) responsible government
C) disciplined parties
D) cabinet solidarity

Question 32

Which term refers to a statute when it is under consideration by Parliament?

A) an act
B) a prerogative
C) a bill
D) a resolution

Question 33

Which of the following parliamentary committee members theoretically has the MOST influence on legislative initiatives?

A) An opposition MP in a minority government situation.
B) An opposition MP in a majority government situation.
C) A government MP in a minority government situation.
D) An opposition MP in a coalition government situation.

Question 34

The Glorious Revolution was a decisive landmark in the evolution of the British parliamentary system.What political goal did it achieve?

A) supremacy of the monarchy over the judiciary
B) supremacy of Parliament over the monarchy
C) supremacy of the House of Lords over the House of Commons
D) new powers of prerogative for the monarchy

Question 35

Which of the following is NOT a requirement for the existence of responsible government?

A) Ministers have to be members of the legislative branch.
B) The government must have the support of a working majority in the popularly elected house of the legislative assembly.
C) There must be elections held at stipulated intervals or following a vote of non-confidence if no new government can be formed to replace the defeated one.
D) Elections occur on constitutionally entrenched fixed election dates

Question 36

What does the term "party discipline" mean?

A) The seating in the House is strictly regulated.
B) Party members are disciplined when they do not follow the wishes of their constituency.
C) If party leaders give direction to MPs, it must be followed.
D) Party leaders must follow the advice and wishes of party members.

Question 37

What was the most significant effect of the Glorious Revolution on the British parliamentary system?

A) It resulted in the drafting of the Articles of Confederation (1781).
B) It established the principle of party discipline.
C) It established the supremacy of Parliament.
D) It united the executive and legislative powers in the Cabinet.

Question 38

What was the purpose of the Parliament Act of 1911 in Great Britain?

A) It gave the House of Lords equal power with the House of Commons.
B) It reduced the power of the House of Lords over legislation to a suspensory veto.
C) It created a bicameral legislature.
D) It abolished bicameralism in Great Britain.

Question 39

What does the term Westminster Model refer to?

A) the Statute of Westminster of 1931
B) American presidential government
C) British common law
D) British parliamentary practice

Question 40

The powers of which two branches of government are joined together in the British system but separated in the U.S.system?

A) the judicial and executive branches
B) the judicial and legislative branches
C) the executive and legislative branches
D) the head of state and the head of government

Question 41

Congressional districts occasionally have their boundaries re-drawn.What is the purpose of this?

A) To optimize voter turnout.
B) To shake up the competition in districts that have long been run by one party.
C) To ensure citizens are not left out of a congressional district.
D) To ensure that each vote is worth equal weight.

Question 42

Which term refers to party members who are assigned to follow the activities of particular ministers in order to act as specialized critics?

A) backbenchers in the majority caucus
B) members of the shadow cabinet
C) junior ministers
D) parliamentary secretaries

Question 43

Which power would the nominal head of state be least likely to exercise in a modern parliamentary system?

A) to veto legislation
B) to appoint the political head of state
C) to dissolve the assembly
D) to issue writs for an election

Question 44

In the American system,which of the following does most of the legislative work?

A) Senate
B) House of Representatives
C) president
D) congressional committees

Question 45

What may be formed by the leader of one party (usually,but not necessarily,the party with the most seats)if no party wins a majority in an election?

A) minority government
B) coalition government
C) majority government
D) responsible government

Question 46

How do the powers of legislative committees in the United States compare to those of the Canadian House of Commons?

A) U.S. legislative committees have about the same amount of power.
B) U.S. legislative committees have considerably less power.
C) U.S. legislative committees are more controlled by the executive.
D) U.S. legislative committees are less controlled by the executive.

Question 47

In Canada,what usually happens when a government loses confidence?

A) The other parties are free to stage a coup d'état.
B) The other parties step in and form a government to prevent an election
C) The government is defeated and must resign
D) The government is not required to resign.

Question 48

After winning a majority of House of Commons seats in a general election,the Liberals form a cabinet that relies on a working majority in the House.What is this an example of?

A) a majority government
B) party discipline
C) cabinet solidarity
D) coalition government

Question 49

In the American system,what is the most powerful organization for managing the legislative process?

A) presidency
B) cabinet
C) congressional committee
D) Electoral College

Question 50

What does the term "cabinet solidarity" refer to?

A) members of the cabinet expressing solidarity when discussing bills in cabinet meetings
B) a strategy of the opposition
C) the public expression of support by cabinet members regarding government policy
D) the union that represents the cabinet in salary negotiations

Question 51

Whose advice does the monarch consider in appointing the Governor General?

A) the Secretary of State
B) the Prime Minister of Canada
C) the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
D) the Lieutenant Governors

Question 52

Which of the features is present in both the Canadian and American executives?

A) Cabinet members are selected by the head of government.
B) Cabinet members are chosen from representatives in the legislative body.
C) Cabinet solidarity exists amongst all members.
D) Executive dominance plays a role in the interaction of cabinet and the legislative body.

Question 53

Suppose a minister in the government publicly criticizes government policy in a modern parliamentary system.Which principle does this violate?

A) parliamentary procedure
B) party discipline
C) expression of cabinet concerns only within the party caucus
D) cabinet solidarity

Question 54

Which of the following examples provides the best analogy for a "shadow cabinet"?

A) Members of a gang wait for in-fighting to weaken the leadership before they overthrow the leaders and take charge.
B) The board of governors of an international corporation often make secretive deals and are not accountable to the employees of the company.
C) Members of a defensive line in football match up and "cover" their offensive counterpart.
D) On "Bring A Kid to Work Day" children are allowed to follow a working professional for a day to learn about their favourite career.

Question 55

Which of the following statements about legislative committees is NOT true?

A) In a parliamentary system, legislative committees have less power and influence than committees in a presidential system.
B) Congressional committees can delay and influence legislation in the United States.
C) Interest groups assert more influence on the Canadian standing committees than on American Congressional committees.
D) In both the presidential and parliamentary systems, committees function as forums for debate.

Question 56

How many readings must a bill go through in each House of the Canadian parliament before it becomes legislation?

A) one
B) two
C) three
D) four

Question 57

In Canada,what is the key difference between the Crown and the prime minister?

A) The Crown is the head of government, the Prime Minister is not.
B) The Prime Minister is head of government, the Crown is not.
C) The Prime Minister is head of state, the Crown is not.
D) There is little discernible difference.

Question 58

What is the term for a government in which two or more parties work together and divide ministerial appointments between them?

A) coalition government
B) majority government
C) bicameral government
D) responsible government

Question 59

Which of the following is NOT a result of allowing a free vote in parliament?

A) Governments avoid the potential political damage of choosing a side on a controversial issue.
B) MPs can vote according to the wishes of their constituents.
C) The government may lose the confidence of the House.
D) Party lines are broken, making the outcome more difficult to predict.

Question 60

Which of the following is an example of a minority government?

A) The Liberal Party forms a cabinet based on winning 155 of 308 seats in the House of Commons.
B) The Conservative Party forms a cabinet based on winning 143 of 308 seats in the House of Commons.
C) The New Democratic Party and the Liberal Party join together to form the government.
D) The Conservative Party wins 140 of 308 seats, while a NDP/Liberal coalition together wins 150 seats.

Question 61

Which group includes Canada's prime minister and provincial premiers?

A) heads of government
B) heads of state
C) Privy Council
D) Parliament

Question 62

Which of the following outcomes is LEAST likely for a bill introduced in Canadian parliament?

A) It achieves royal ascent, but does not come into force or effect for several years.
B) It is defeated during the report stage.
C) It is defeated by a vote in the Senate.
D) It is sent back to the House with proposed revisions by the Senate.

Question 63

Where did the constructive vote of confidence originate?

A) It was first instituted in the British parliamentary system to overcome the problem of instability.
B) It was established in West Germany's Basic Law.
C) It was created by in Canada after two elections were held in one year.
D) It was first used in the Australian parliament to overthrow a corrupt coalition government.

Question 64

Which of the following characteristics of the American presidential system most clearly distinguish it from parliamentary systems of government?

A) fusion of powers and a congressional committee system
B) separation of powers and the lack of responsible government
C) fusion of powers and the lack of responsible government
D) a congressional committee system and responsible government

Question 65

What is the vote of confidence designed to do in the American system of government?

A) It overrides a presidential veto.
B) It forces an election.
C) It shows support for the president.
D) There is no vote of confidence.

Question 66

Who are called backbenchers in the legislatures of parliamentary systems?

A) MPs who do not belong to any political party.
B) MPs who do not appear in Parliament very often.
C) Members of the upper chamber who are brought into the cabinet.
D) MPs who are neither in the cabinet nor in the shadow cabinet of the opposition.

Question 67

Votes of confidence in the American Senate can NOT override a presidential veto.Why is this true statement?

A) because the President acts only on the advice and consent of the Senate
B) because nothing can override a presidential veto
C) because a vote of confidence occurs when both houses pass a bill, after it has been rejected, by a simple majority
D) because votes of confidence do not exist in the American presidential system

Question 68

Where must money bills originate in the American system of government?

A) in the Senate
B) in the House of Representatives
C) in the presidency
D) in the cabinet

Question 69

Under which circumstances can a presidential veto be overridden in the U.S.?

A) when both houses pass the bill again by two-thirds majorities
B) when both houses pass the bill again by a simple majority
C) when the Senate passes the bill again by a two-thirds majority
D) when the Senate gives advice and consent

Question 70

Which body must approve presidential appointments,such as ambassadorial posts?

A) the House of Representatives
B) Congress
C) the Senate
D) the Supreme Court

Question 71

Who holds the shortest term of elected office in the United States presidential system?

A) members of the House of Representatives
B) members of standing committees
C) the president
D) members of the cabinet

Question 72

What does the Congress consist of in the American system of government?

A) the Senate and the Cabinet
B) the House of Representatives and the Cabinet
C) the Senate and the House of Representatives
D) the House of Representatives

Question 73

What is required for the president of the United States to appoint a new judge to the United States Supreme Court?

A) He would require the consent of the Speaker of the House.
B) He would require the approval of the Senate.
C) He would require the approval of the House of Representatives.
D) He would require the approval of both Houses of Congress.

Question 74

Which statement best describes the structure of the presidential system?

A) It requires that neither the President nor members of the Cabinet hold seats in the Congress.
B) It requires that the President be elected to the Senate.
C) It requires that members of cabinet hold seats in the Congress
D) It requires that the President hold a seat in the Congress

Question 75

In the Canadian parliamentary system,who performs the functions of the U.S.president?

A) the prime minister
B) the prime minister and the premiers
C) the monarch and the governor general
D) the monarch and the prime minister

Question 76

Under which circumstances would the combined parliamentary/presidential system of France be most difficult to operate?

A) when no single party has a majority in the assembly
B) when the president is not a member of the assembly
C) when the prime minister is not nationally elected
D) when the assembly is dominated by a party hostile to the president

Question 77

Suppose the head of government sees that her party is ahead in the polls.She chooses to have an election and capitalize on the popular support.In which of the following situations would this example take place?

A) In the American presidential system when the president's party has a majority in Congress.
B) In the American presidential system when the president's party has a majority in the Senate.
C) In the Canadian parliamentary system when the prime minister's party has a majority in the Senate.
D) In the Canadian parliamentary system when the prime minister's party has a minority in the House of Commons

Question 78

How is the office of the president filled in France?

A) The Crown appoints the president.
B) The president is popularly elected.
C) The prime minister appoints the president.
D) The president is elected by the National Assembly.

Question 79

In Germany,a majority in the Bundestag can bring down the government,but not until that majority approves another government.What is the term for this?

A) a coup d'état
B) a coalition-building measure
C) a vote of non-confidence
D) a constructive vote of confidence

Question 80

Which of the following statements best describes the difference between a president and prime minister?

A) A president is both head of state and head of government, whereas a prime minister is only head of government.
B) A president is a member of the popularly elected legislative branch, whereas the prime minister is not a member of the House of Commons
C) A president may appoint officials without consultations, whereas prime ministerial appointments must be approved by the Cabinet.
D) A president is both head of state and head of government, whereas a prime minister is only head of state.