Question 1

A semi-presidential system involves an elected president sharing executive power with _____________.

Accepted Answer

In a semi-presidential system, the elected president shares executive power with a prime minister and Cabinet. This combination of a directly elected president and a prime minister who is responsible to the legislature is the hallmark of a semi-presidential system.

Question 2

Although Congress is responsible for passing legislation, the President has the authority to issue ____________ such as that which President Obama used to stop the deportation of illegal immigrants brought to the United States as children.

Accepted Answer

The President has the authority to issue executive orders, which have the force of law and can be used to direct the activities of the executive branch. The example given in the question refers to President Obama's issuance of an executive order known as DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) which provided protection from deportation for certain undocumented individuals who were brought to the United States as children. The other options listed - presidential veto, presidential measures, and executive privilege - do not apply to this scenario.

Question 3

The US Congress has some powers to ensure that the executive is acting properly, but presidents have claimed __________ sometimes to try to avoid Congressional investigations.

Accepted Answer

Executive privilege is a claim made by presidents that certain communications or documents should not be disclosed to Congress or the public because of the need to protect confidentiality or national security. This claim has been used by multiple presidents to avoid Congressional investigations. Therefore, option C is the correct answer.

Option A is incorrect because it refers to a situation where Congress may be over-stepping its powers, but it does not relate to the president's use of executive privilege. Option B is incorrect because the presidential veto is a power of the president related to legislation, not the executive's relationship with Congress. Option D is also incorrect because the Constitution explicitly outlines that the president is accountable to Congress.

Question 4

In order to avoid investigation by Congress, presidents may invoke ________.

Accepted Answer

Executive privilege allows the president to withhold information from Congress in order to protect national security or maintain confidentiality. This can be invoked to avoid being investigated or providing certain information to Congress. Options B, C, and D are not relevant in this context.

Question 5

The Congress, the legislative branch of the US government, consists of the Senate and the _________.

Accepted Answer

The Congress has two chambers - the Senate and the House of Representatives. Therefore, the correct answer is C - House of Representatives. A, B, and D are not correct as they do not accurately reflect the composition of the US Congress.

Question 6

A basic feature of the American presidential systems in which each of the three branches of government is able to check the actions of the others is called ________.

Accepted Answer

The concept of checks and balances in the American presidential system refers to the ability of each branch of government (executive, legislative, and judicial) to limit the power of the other branches, ensuring that no single branch becomes too powerful. This system promotes a balance of power and prevents any one branch from monopolizing power or infringing on the rights of citizens. The fusion of powers (A) refers to a system in which the branches of government are not separate but rather merged together, such as in a parliamentary system. A friendly dictatorship (C) is a contradiction in terms, as dictatorship implies an absence of democracy or freedom. Executive dominance (D) refers to a situation in which the executive branch of government has more power and influence than the other branches, which is contrary to the principle of checks and balances.

Question 7

The president of the United States ________.

Accepted Answer

The United States President can be elected to a maximum of two terms. This is in line with the 22nd Amendment to the United States Constitution, which was ratified in 1951 after Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected to four terms in office.

Question 8

Which among the following is a feature characteristic of a Presidential system, but not of a Parliamentary system?

Accepted Answer

Fixed terms of office are a feature characteristic of presidential systems, where the president serves for a fixed term and cannot be removed by a vote of no confidence as in a parliamentary system. Cabinet secrecy, strong party discipline, and minority government can be features of both presidential and parliamentary systems.

Question 9

Proceedings by the legislative branch to impeach Bill Clinton were undertaken for his actions in ________.

Accepted Answer

Bill Clinton was impeached by the House of Representatives for lying to a grand jury and obstructing justice during an investigation into his affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. This impeachment led to a trial in the Senate, but Clinton was ultimately acquitted and remained in office.

Question 10

Which other country outside of Central and South America has adopted a version of the presidential system?

Accepted Answer

The Philippines has adopted a version of the presidential system known as the unitary form of government, where power is centralized in the national government and the president serves as both the head of state and head of government. Malaysia and Thailand have a constitutional monarchy system, while Australia has a parliamentary system with a ceremonial head of state.

Question 11

Because of the different powers granted the executive and legislative branches, the US government sometimes suffers from ________.

Accepted Answer

The term "gridlock" refers to a situation in which the different branches of government are unable to work together effectively, often resulting in a failure to pass legislation or make decisions. In the case of the US government, the separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches, along with the checks and balances built into the system, can sometimes lead to gridlock.

Question 12

What is one reason given in the text for why the Senate is considered to be the more important of the two chambers of Congress?

Accepted Answer

The Senate is considered to be the more important of the two chambers of Congress because it contains elected representatives of states rather than smaller districts. This means that senators have a broader perspective and are responsible for representing the interests of their entire state rather than just a smaller group of constituents.

Question 13

The President of the United States is the head of ________.

Accepted Answer

The President of the United States is not only the head of the government, but also the head of state. Therefore, option B is the correct answer. Option A, C and D are incorrect because they do not fully capture the role and responsibilities of the President.

Question 14

The House of Representatives of the United States is elected every _____________.

Accepted Answer

The House of Representatives of the United States is elected every two years. This is specified in Article 1, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution.

Question 15

This term is used to describe a condition in which the executive and legislative branches each have distinct powers and personnel.

Accepted Answer

This term specifically refers to the division of powers and personnel between the executive and legislative branches, and is a fundamental concept in the US Constitution. Option B refers to the division of power between the national and state governments, while options C and D are not commonly used terms in political science to describe this concept.

Question 16

What is one argument often made in support of a Presidential system?

Accepted Answer

One argument often made in support of a Presidential system is that it allows for decisive leadership. Unlike a Parliamentary system where the executive power is diffused among the members of the ruling party, the President in a Presidential system has a clear mandate and is able to make decisive decisions. This can be seen as an advantage in times of crisis or in situations where quick and decisive action is needed.

Question 17

The War Powers Act of 1973 ________.

Accepted Answer

The War Powers Act of 1973 restricted the powers of the president to go to war without the approval of Congress. It requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of committing armed forces to military action and prohibits military action for more than 60 days without specific authorization from Congress or a declaration of war.

Question 18

The presidential system of government was developed in (the) _____________.

Accepted Answer

The presidential system of government was developed in the United States, where the president is both the head of state and the head of government. This system has also been adopted in several other countries around the world, including many in Latin America.

Question 19

The Chairs of powerful Committees of the Congress are chosen by the ________.

Accepted Answer

The Chairs of powerful Committees of the Congress are chosen by the majority party of each House, reflecting the party's control over the legislative agenda and committee leadership positions.

Question 20

Party discipline in the American Congress usually is not very tight, because __________.

Accepted Answer

Party discipline in the American Congress is usually not very tight because the President and Cabinet do not need the support of a majority in Congress to stay in power. This means that individual members of Congress have more freedom to vote against their party's position without facing serious consequences, as their vote is unlikely to bring down the government. Additionally, the decentralized nature of Congress and the relative independence of individual legislators means that party whips often have a limited ability to enforce discipline.

Quiz 15: Presidential and Semi-Presidential Systems