Question 1

In what type of government system is the leader of the executive branch elected by the people in a separate election?

Accepted Answer

A) Federal 
B) Parliamentary 
C) Unitary 
D) Presidential 
E) Socialist 
A) Federal 
B) Parliamentary 
C) Unitary 
D) Presidential 
E) Socialist D

Question 2

In what ways are cabinets similar and different in presidential versus parliamentary systems? Which structure do you find more compelling? Why?

Accepted Answer

In both presidential and parliamentary systems, cabinets serve as the executive branch of the government and are responsible for implementing and enforcing laws, as well as making important policy decisions. However, there are several key differences between the two systems in terms of the structure and function of cabinets.

In a presidential system, the cabinet is appointed by the president and is separate from the legislative branch. Cabinet members are often chosen for their expertise in specific policy areas and serve at the pleasure of the president. They are not required to be members of the legislature and are accountable directly to the president.

On the other hand, in a parliamentary system, the cabinet is drawn from the majority party or coalition in the legislature. The prime minister, who is the head of government, is typically the leader of the majority party and appoints cabinet members from within the legislature. This creates a closer relationship between the executive and legislative branches, as cabinet members are also members of the legislature and are accountable to it.

As for which structure is more compelling, it ultimately depends on the specific context and goals of a country. Presidential systems provide a clear separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches, which can help prevent the concentration of power in one branch. On the other hand, parliamentary systems promote closer cooperation between the executive and legislative branches, which can lead to more efficient decision-making and policy implementation.

Personally, I find the parliamentary system more compelling because of the closer relationship between the executive and legislative branches. This can lead to more effective governance and quicker responses to pressing issues. Additionally, the accountability of cabinet members to the legislature can help ensure that the government remains responsive to the will of the people. However, both systems have their strengths and weaknesses, and the effectiveness of a cabinet ultimately depends on the specific political and cultural context in which it operates.

Question 3

Approximately what percentage of presidential vetoes are overridden by Congress with a two-thirds vote?

Accepted Answer

A) 4 percent 
B) 21 percent 
C) 33 percent 
D) 40 percent 
E) 50 percent 
A) 4 percent 
B) 21 percent 
C) 33 percent 
D) 40 percent 
E) 50 percent A

Question 4

The United Kingdom is said to possess what type of political parties?

Accepted Answer

A) Inherited 
B) Dynamic 
C) Disciplined 
D) Undisciplined 
E) Weak 
A) Inherited 
B) Dynamic 
C) Disciplined 
D) Undisciplined 
E) Weak

Question 5

Which three executive departments were initially responsible for all federal business?

Accepted Answer

A) Departments of Treasury, Justice, and State 
B) Departments of Treasury, State, and War 
C) Departments of the Interior, State, and War 
D) Departments of State, Commerce, and the Interior 
E) Departments of Commerce, Agriculture, and the Interior 
A) Departments of Treasury, Justice, and State 
B) Departments of Treasury, State, and War 
C) Departments of the Interior, State, and War 
D) Departments of State, Commerce, and the Interior 
E) Departments of Commerce, Agriculture, and the Interior

Question 6

British debate on parliamentary systems emerged from the traditional dispute between which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A) The monarch and the Church of England 
B) The monarch and Parliament 
C) The monarch and the guilds 
D) The people and Parliament 
E) The people and the Church of England 
A) The monarch and the Church of England 
B) The monarch and Parliament 
C) The monarch and the guilds 
D) The people and Parliament 
E) The people and the Church of England

Question 7

Describe the abilities of the American president and British prime minister. Which office is more connected to the public? Which office is more politically powerful? Be specific in your answer.

Accepted Answer

The American president and the British p

Question 8

Even though the president of the United States is commander in chief of the armed forces, only Congress can do which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A) Deploy troops to foreign lands 
B) Declare war 
C) Commission military officers 
D) Negotiate treaties 
E) Finalize a military draft 
A) Deploy troops to foreign lands 
B) Declare war 
C) Commission military officers 
D) Negotiate treaties 
E) Finalize a military draft

Question 9

Indefinite terms of office refer to which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A) The length of time the United States president can serve during war time, as authorized by Congress 
B) The way in which the British prime minister can serve as long as the people will continue to reelect his or her party 
C) The way in which the British prime minister can call for a vote of no confidence and be removed from office 
D) The way in which the Indian president is elected and the absence of term limits 
E) The way in which the British monarch can dismiss an unpopular prime minister 
A) The length of time the United States president can serve during war time, as authorized by Congress 
B) The way in which the British prime minister can serve as long as the people will continue to reelect his or her party 
C) The way in which the British prime minister can call for a vote of no confidence and be removed from office 
D) The way in which the Indian president is elected and the absence of term limits 
E) The way in which the British monarch can dismiss an unpopular prime minister

Question 10

What term describes the tendency of members of the prime minister's party to vote for their agenda?

Accepted Answer

A) A majoritarian system 
B) First among equals leadership 
C) Disciplined political parties 
D) Legislative stringency 
E) Strong party system 
A) A majoritarian system 
B) First among equals leadership 
C) Disciplined political parties 
D) Legislative stringency 
E) Strong party system

Question 11

What mechanism is periodically used in parliamentary systems to remove a prime minister and call for new elections?

Accepted Answer

A) Constitutional conventions 
B) Impeachment 
C) Judicial review 
D) Regularly scheduled elections 
E) Vote of no confidence 
A) Constitutional conventions 
B) Impeachment 
C) Judicial review 
D) Regularly scheduled elections 
E) Vote of no confidence

Question 12

Which of the following is the head of government in the United Kingdom?

Accepted Answer

A) The president 
B) The leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition 
C) The queen 
D) The prime minister 
E) The royal governor 
A) The president 
B) The leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition 
C) The queen 
D) The prime minister 
E) The royal governor

Question 13

Presidential systems are characterized by which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A) An executive branch that is independent from the legislature 
B) An executive branch that is fused with the legislature 
C) An executive branch that is free from legislative control 
D) A  legislative branch that controls agenda setting 
E) A legislative branch that defers to the executive branch 
A) An executive branch that is independent from the legislature 
B) An executive branch that is fused with the legislature 
C) An executive branch that is free from legislative control 
D) A  legislative branch that controls agenda setting 
E) A legislative branch that defers to the executive branch

Question 14

The American and French Revolutions signaled to the masses that the only way for government to preserve rights is through which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A) Insurrection 
B) Legislation 
C) Rebellion 
D) Representation 
E) Revolution 
A) Insurrection 
B) Legislation 
C) Rebellion 
D) Representation 
E) Revolution

Question 15

Discuss the benefits of parliamentary systems' fusing of executive and legislative power. What is the possible disadvantage to this form of government, and how is it fostered by party discipline?

Accepted Answer

Parliamentary systems have several benef

Question 16

In the United Kingdom, there is a "symbolic head-of-state" that reinforces the state's history and traditions. Which of the following is TRUE about that person?

Accepted Answer

A) He or she holds significant political power. 
B) She is the queen of England. 
C) He or she is known as the prime minister. 
D) He or she serves at the discretion of the parliament. 
E) He or she is directly elected by the public. 
A) He or she holds significant political power. 
B) She is the queen of England. 
C) He or she is known as the prime minister. 
D) He or she serves at the discretion of the parliament. 
E) He or she is directly elected by the public.

Question 17

The British prime minister is called "first among equals" because of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A) He or she must represent a particular legislative district before gaining leadership in the political party. 
B) He or she is never independent of the legislative body from which they were selected. 
C) He or she must operate according to the party platform. 
D) He or she is the leader of the political party. 
E) He or she must represent a particular legislative district before gaining leadership in the party, is never independent of the legislative body from which he or she was selected, must operate according to the party platform, and is the leader of the party. 
A) He or she must represent a particular legislative district before gaining leadership in the political party. 
B) He or she is never independent of the legislative body from which they were selected. 
C) He or she must operate according to the party platform. 
D) He or she is the leader of the political party. 
E) He or she must represent a particular legislative district before gaining leadership in the party, is never independent of the legislative body from which he or she was selected, must operate according to the party platform, and is the leader of the party.

Question 18

Alexander Hamilton asserted that presidential pardons can be useful in "seasons of insurrections or rebellions" in which Federalist Paper ?

Accepted Answer

A) Federalist Paper No. 10 
B) Federalist Paper No. 17 
C) Federalist Paper No. 39 
D) Federalist Paper No. 45 
E) Federalist Paper No. 74 
A) Federalist Paper No. 10 
B) Federalist Paper No. 17 
C) Federalist Paper No. 39 
D) Federalist Paper No. 45 
E) Federalist Paper No. 74

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a potential concern about a presidential system, particularly in a newly emerging democracy?

Accepted Answer

A) The president may refuse a peaceable transfer of power after being voted out of office. 
B) The president may too easily be impeached. 
C) The president may become too strong. 
D) The president may decide to dismantle the democratic system by which the leader came to power. 
E) The president cannot be replaced following death or illness. 
A) The president may refuse a peaceable transfer of power after being voted out of office. 
B) The president may too easily be impeached. 
C) The president may become too strong. 
D) The president may decide to dismantle the democratic system by which the leader came to power. 
E) The president cannot be replaced following death or illness.

Question 20

What is the relationship between the president and the prime minister in India? How does this divide executive function, and which office wields more power?

Accepted Answer

In India, the relationship between the p

In what type of government system is the leader of the executive branch elected by the people in a separate election?

In what ways are cabinets similar and different in presidential versus parliamentary systems? Which structure do you find more compelling? Why?

Approximately what percentage of presidential vetoes are overridden by Congress with a two-thirds vote?

The United Kingdom is said to possess what type of political parties?

Which three executive departments were initially responsible for all federal business?

British debate on parliamentary systems emerged from the traditional dispute between which of the following?

Describe the abilities of the American president and British prime minister. Which office is more connected to the public? Which office is more politically powerful? Be specific in your answer.

Even though the president of the United States is commander in chief of the armed forces, only Congress can do which of the following?

Indefinite terms of office refer to which of the following?

What term describes the tendency of members of the prime minister's party to vote for their agenda?

What mechanism is periodically used in parliamentary systems to remove a prime minister and call for new elections?

Which of the following is the head of government in the United Kingdom?

Presidential systems are characterized by which of the following?

The American and French Revolutions signaled to the masses that the only way for government to preserve rights is through which of the following?

Discuss the benefits of parliamentary systems' fusing of executive and legislative power. What is the possible disadvantage to this form of government, and how is it fostered by party discipline?

In the United Kingdom, there is a "symbolic head-of-state" that reinforces the state's history and traditions. Which of the following is TRUE about that person?

The British prime minister is called "first among equals" because of which of the following?

Alexander Hamilton asserted that presidential pardons can be useful in "seasons of insurrections or rebellions" in which Federalist Paper ?

Which of the following is NOT a potential concern about a presidential system, particularly in a newly emerging democracy?

What is the relationship between the president and the prime minister in India? How does this divide executive function, and which office wields more power?

Why Politics Matters

Ancient Political Theory

Modern Political Theory

The American Government

Nationalism and Populism in the United States and Abroad

Authoritarian Systems of Government

Comparing Legislatures

Comparing Executives

Comparing Judiciaries

Understanding International Relations: Terms and Theories

War, Diplomacy, and the Beginning of International Relations

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Exam 7: Democratic Systems of Government

In what type of government system is the leader of the executive branch elected by the people in a separate election?

In what ways are cabinets similar and different in presidential versus parliamentary systems? Which structure do you find more compelling? Why?

Approximately what percentage of presidential vetoes are overridden by Congress with a two-thirds vote?

The United Kingdom is said to possess what type of political parties?

Which three executive departments were initially responsible for all federal business?

British debate on parliamentary systems emerged from the traditional dispute between which of the following?

Describe the abilities of the American president and British prime minister. Which office is more connected to the public? Which office is more politically powerful? Be specific in your answer.

Even though the president of the United States is commander in chief of the armed forces, only Congress can do which of the following?

Indefinite terms of office refer to which of the following?

What term describes the tendency of members of the prime minister's party to vote for their agenda?

What mechanism is periodically used in parliamentary systems to remove a prime minister and call for new elections?

Which of the following is the head of government in the United Kingdom?

Presidential systems are characterized by which of the following?

The American and French Revolutions signaled to the masses that the only way for government to preserve rights is through which of the following?

Discuss the benefits of parliamentary systems' fusing of executive and legislative power. What is the possible disadvantage to this form of government, and how is it fostered by party discipline?

In the United Kingdom, there is a "symbolic head-of-state" that reinforces the state's history and traditions. Which of the following is TRUE about that person?

The British prime minister is called "first among equals" because of which of the following?

Alexander Hamilton asserted that presidential pardons can be useful in "seasons of insurrections or rebellions" in which Federalist Paper ?

Which of the following is NOT a potential concern about a presidential system, particularly in a newly emerging democracy?

What is the relationship between the president and the prime minister in India? How does this divide executive function, and which office wields more power?

Why Politics Matters

Ancient Political Theory

Modern Political Theory

The American Government

Nationalism and Populism in the United States and Abroad

Authoritarian Systems of Government

Comparing Legislatures

Comparing Executives

Comparing Judiciaries

Understanding International Relations: Terms and Theories

War, Diplomacy, and the Beginning of International Relations

Filters