Basics of Parliamentary Democracy

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What is a parliamentary democracy?

A parliamentary democracy is a system of government where the executive branch is directly accountable to the parliament and must maintain its confidence.

Who is the head of government in a parliamentary democracy?

The head of government is usually the Prime Minister, who is the leader of the majority party or coalition in parliament.

How is the Prime Minister chosen in a parliamentary democracy?

The Prime Minister is typically chosen from the members of the majority party or coalition in the parliament.

What role does the parliament play in a parliamentary democracy?

The parliament makes and passes laws, and the government is accountable to it, meaning it must have the parliament's confidence to stay in power.

What happens if the government loses the confidence of the parliament?

If the government loses a confidence vote, it may lead to its resignation or the calling of a general election.

What is a vote of no confidence?

A vote of no confidence is a parliamentary vote which, if passed, requires the resignation of the government or the calling of new elections.

Can the roles of head of state and head of government be separate in a parliamentary democracy?

Yes, often the head of state is different from the head of government. For example, the head of state can be a monarch or president, while the head of government is the Prime Minister.

What are the two main types of parliamentary systems?

The two main types of parliamentary systems are bicameral and unicameral systems, determined by whether there are two legislative chambers or one.

What is a coalition government?

A coalition government is formed when no single party has a majority, and two or more parties agree to cooperate to form a government.

What is the main advantage of a parliamentary democracy?

One main advantage is that the executive is accountable to the legislature, which can lead to more responsive and flexible governance.

What is the term for when a parliamentary democracy holds regular elections for parliament?

This is known as a general election.

How does a parliamentary democracy differ from a presidential system?

In a parliamentary system, the executive is accountable to the legislature, whereas in a presidential system, the president is separate from the legislative branch and is not accountable to it.

What is the opposition in a parliamentary democracy?

The opposition consists of all the elected members of parliament who do not support the government, and they play a crucial role in holding it to account.

What is a parliamentary debate?

Parliamentary debate is a discussion in parliament where members discuss and argue about various issues, policies, and proposed laws.

What is a backbencher?

A backbencher is a member of parliament who does not hold governmental office and is not part of the opposition's leadership team.