Exam 5: Governing Institutions in Democracies

In a parliamentary system, which of the following positions hold the least power?

Compare and contrast federalism as it functions in Mexico, India, and Russia.

Which of the following is most usefully thought of as a principal-agent problem?

In presidential systems, the president and the legislative body are elected in separate elections.

The coordination of bureaucrats, business leaders, and politicians to set policy in their mutual interest is called

Which of the following is not among the usual purposes of federalism?

The ability of judges to decide cases as they think appropriate, regardless of what politically powerful officials or institutions desire is called

With regard to the state, devolution is understood as

Does federalism increase or decrease accountability? How?

Collective responsibility in the British parliamentary system means that

In presidential systems, the president and legislators serve

The central government has sole constitutional sovereignty and power in ________ systems.

In parliamentarian systems, if no party has a parliamentary majority a coalition government is usually formed.

How does Brazil choose its president when no candidate receives a majority?

Explain the differences in the functions performed by heads of state and heads of government? Are these two important institutional figures always separate, i.e., can the same person hold both roles?

List at least two ways in which the executive branch can increase its power?

What are the consequences of organizing the bureaucracy around the idea of patronage, in opposition to the idea of professionalization? In your answer, please define both concepts?

Summarize the functions of a head of state.

The lack of stare decisis in Brazil's legal system led to

In parliamentary systems, impeachment can force a prime minister to resign.