Chapter 6: Systems of Government: Parliamentary Options
MULTIPLE CHOICE
Chapter Six Multiple Choice (MS Word)
1. What is the person with responsibility for a portfolio called?
a. Portfolian
b. Minister
c. Legislative member
d. None of the above
2. Which of the following terms describes support from a majority of the members of the legislature?
a. Arrogance
b. Confidence
c. Cockiness
d. All of the above
3. Which of the following is traditionally described as “first among equals”?
a. The monarch
b. The governor general
c. The prime minister
d. None of the above
4. Criticism of a government on the basis of instability and indecisiveness is common in which of the following?
a. Majority governments
b. Minority governments
c. Both
d. Neither
5. Which of the following is a coalition in which cabinet positions are shared between parties?
a. Legislative coalition
b. Electoral coalition
c. Executive coalition
d. None of the above
6. Which of the following is often accused of being unrepresentative and unresponsive to criticism?
a. Majority governments
b. Minority governments
c. Both
d. Neither
7. Which of the following describes those members of a political party that sit as elected members in a legislature?
a. The party faithful
b. The party caucus
c. The party caduceus
d. None of the above
8. Which of the following is NOT a component of the dual executive?
a. Political executive
b. Formal executive
c. Technical executive
d. None of the above
9. Which of the following is NOT a common cause of the end of a parliamentary government?
a. Resignation
b. Cabinet co-operation
c. Loss of confidence
d. None of the above
10. Which country is the most characteristic example of coalition instability?
a. Switzerland
b. Germany
c. Austria
d. Italy
11. The minimum number of votes a party must win in order to be permitted to sit in parliament is referred to as which of the following?
a. The event horizon
b. The formal party threshold
c. The threshold of support
d. None of the above
12. Which of the following temporarily serves between the fall and rise of elected governments?
a. A time-out government
b. A caretaker government
c. A responsible government
d. The Italian government
13. Which of the following is a component of successful coalition government?
a. Conflict over the allocation of cabinet seats
b. Negotiation of policy program
c. Absence of consultation and dispute-resolution procedures
d. All of the above
14. Which of the following groups is generally more exclusive?
a. The cabinet
b. The ministry
c. Both
d. Neither
15. Incremental policy change is most common for which type of government?
a. Majority governments
b. Coalition governments
c. Both
d. Neither
16. Formal powers are important for which of the following reasons?
a. Because of the legitimacy they can bestow
b. Because of the need to obey rules
c. Because everyone looks good in a tuxedo
d. None of the above
17. Which form of liberal democracy is now most common?
a. That with coalition governments
b. That without coalition governments
c. Both
d. Neither
18. Who generally chooses which leader has the first opportunity to form a government?
a. The head of government
b. The head of state
c. Both
d. Neither
19. In which of the following circumstances is a prime minister likely to be most powerful?
a. Coalition government with a traditional constitution
b. Single-party government with a rational constitution
c. Coalition government with a rational constitution
d. Single-party government with a traditional constitution
20. Which of the following terms describes a committee of persons exercising executive power collectively and individually?
a. A junta
b. A cabinet
c. A confidence group
d. None of the above
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SHORT ANSWER
Chapter Six Short Answer (MS Word)
1. Explain the three core components of parliamentary government.
2. Explain the role of head of state within a parliamentary system in terms of continuity.
3. Explain the difference between 1) a coalition and 2) parties with confidence and supply agreements.
4. Explain why parliamentary legislatures are usually characterized by executive dominance.
5. Explain the primary factors that can reduce the likelihood of a majority government.
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