Question 1

President Franklin Roosevelt's management style was aimed at __________.

Accepted Answer

Roosevelt believed in delegating authority to his subordinates, allowing him to focus on making important decisions while his staff handled the day-to-day operations of the government. He encouraged independent thought and action among his aides, preferring to set broad policies and goals rather than micromanage their activities.

Question 2

A prime minister is most likely to use his or her power to dissolve parliament when __________.

Accepted Answer

When a country is prosperous and job performance ratings of the prime minister are high, it is an advantageous time to call for an election as the ruling party is likely to have a better chance of being re-elected. Thus, option D is the correct choice.

Question 3

What was the main purpose of the cohabitation arrangement between the executive and legislative branches in France's parliamentary system?

Accepted Answer

The cohabitation arrangement between the executive and legislative branches in France's parliamentary system was designed to enable a president and a prime minister from different parties to govern together. This was done in order to ensure that the government remained effective even when different parties held majority in the National Assembly and the presidency. During cohabitation, the president generally holds control over foreign and defense policies while the prime minister is responsible for domestic policies.

Question 4

How many years is the presidential term in France?

Accepted Answer

The presidential term in France is five years.

Question 5

Which statement explains why parliamentary systems have an advantage over presidential systems should a person of dubious character win executive power?

Accepted Answer

Parliamentary systems have an advantage over presidential systems should a person of dubious character win executive power because a prime minister in a parliamentary system can be removed from office by a vote of no confidence in the legislature, whereas a president in a presidential system is very difficult to remove before his term of office expires.

Question 6

What is considered the "trump card" for a democracy?

Accepted Answer

Electoral punishment is considered the "trump card" for a democracy because it allows voters to hold elected officials accountable for their actions by voting them out of office.

Question 7

Which statement explains why efforts by Congress to restore the balance between the legislative and executive branches have mostly failed?

Accepted Answer

The executive branch has more discretion and flexibility in implementing policies than Congress, making it difficult for Congress to fully restore balance between the branches.

Question 8

An increasingly important factor in both presidential and parliamentary elections is a candidate's __________.

Accepted Answer

A candidate's personality has become an increasingly important factor in elections, as it can significantly influence public perception and voter appeal.

Question 9

A critic of President Carter's leadership style would most likely accept which of these claims?

Accepted Answer

Critics of President Carter often pointed out his tendency to micromanage and his lack of reliance on skilled advisors, which hindered his effectiveness.

Question 10

President Eisenhower managed the perception of his administration by __________.

Accepted Answer

President Eisenhower projected a relaxed and confident persona while actively making decisions. He held regular press conferences and had a strong ability to communicate with the public. He also prioritized his time and efforts, focusing on important issues and delegating other tasks to his staff. He did not create chaos among his advisors but instead valued their input and expertise.

Question 11

Which type of leader is best equipped to handle the high expectations that the public places on presidents and prime ministers?

Accepted Answer

Someone adept at media relations is best equipped to handle the high expectations that the public places on presidents and prime ministers because they can effectively communicate with the public and manage the media's coverage of their actions.

Question 12

In the United States,the president is both chief of government and __________.

Accepted Answer

The President of the United States serves as both the Chief of Government and Head of State. As Chief of Government, the President is responsible for directing the executive branch of government, while as Head of State, the President represents the country on the global stage and embodies its values and traditions.

Question 13

How can the chancellor of Germany be ousted?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How can the chancellor of Germany be...

Question 14

President Nixon's decision to impound appropriations made by Congress could be used as evidence to support which of these arguments?

Accepted Answer

Nixon's decision to impound appropriations made by Congress is evidence that the president has the power to withhold appropriated funds, which can be argued as a misuse of executive power and a sign that the presidency has grown too powerful. This can be seen as a violation of the separation of powers and a threat to the checks and balances system.

Question 15

Who receives the most attention in both parliamentary and presidential systems?

Accepted Answer

The chief executive, also known as the president or prime minister, receives the most attention in both parliamentary and presidential systems. This is because they are the head of government and have the most power in terms of making decisions and implementing policies. The legislature (A) and majority party (C) are important players, but they do not receive as much attention as the chief executive. The head of state (B) may have ceremonial and symbolic duties, but they typically do not have as much power or receive as much attention as the chief executive.

Question 16

Which of these mistakes is the public most likely to make in relation to its chief executive?

Accepted Answer

The public is often susceptible to the myth of the "heroic leader" who can solve all problems on their own. This is an unrealistic expectation and can create disappointment and disillusionment when the chief executive inevitably falls short.

Question 17

In the German parliamentary system,what is the main purpose of a constructive vote of no confidence?

Accepted Answer

The main purpose of a constructive vote of no confidence in the German parliamentary system is to increase the stability of the government. This is achieved by requiring a potential successor to the Chancellor to be nominated at the same time as the motion is brought forward, ensuring that there is a ready replacement for the current Chancellor. This helps to prevent uncertainty and instability in the government, as it ensures that there is always a clear line of succession in the event of a successful vote of no confidence.

Question 18

How does the process a parliamentary system uses to oust a chief executive differ from that available in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Parliamentary systems can hold a vote of no confidence instead of using the impeachment process. In a parliamentary system, the chief executive (usually the prime minister) serves at the pleasure of the legislature. If the legislature loses confidence in the chief executive, they can hold a vote of no confidence and potentially remove the chief executive from office. In the United States, the process to remove a chief executive (the president) involves impeachment by the House of Representatives and a trial in the Senate.

Question 19

A minister in a parliamentary system is equivalent to a __________ in the United States.

Accepted Answer

In the United States, the equivalent of a minister in a parliamentary system is a departmental secretary. Ministers in parliamentary systems often head specific departments, similar to how secretaries (e.g., Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense) oversee departments in the U.S. government.

Question 20

Semi-presidential systems differ from parliamentary systems because they __________.

Accepted Answer

Semi-presidential systems have both a president and a prime minister, whereas parliamentary systems have only a prime minister. This can impact the power balance between the executive and legislative branches and affect decision-making processes.

Quiz 13: Executives and Bureaucracies