Comparing Parliamentary and Presidential Systems - AP Comparative Government and Politics

1. What defines a parliamentary system of government?

   The executive derives its legitimacy from the legislature. The executive branch emerges from and depends on parliamentary support for legitimacy.

2. Who is the head of state in a presidential system?

   The President is the head of state. In presidential systems, the President serves as both head of state and government.

3. In which system is the prime minister typically the head of government?

   Parliamentary system. The PM leads the government and is accountable to parliament.

4. Which system has a unicameral or bicameral legislature?

   Both parliamentary and presidential systems. Legislative structure varies by country regardless of executive system type.

5. What is the primary advantage of a semi-presidential system?

   Flexibility in executive power distribution. Power can shift between President and PM based on circumstances.

6. In which system is the President not accountable to the legislature?

   Presidential system. The President operates independently without requiring legislative confidence.

7. What is the primary role of the legislature in a presidential system?

   To make laws independently of the executive. Separation of powers ensures legislative independence from executive control.

8. In which system is the executive subject to legislative confidence?

   Parliamentary system. The executive must maintain parliamentary confidence to remain in power.

9. What is the main legislative body in a presidential system?

   Congress or equivalent. This body creates laws independently of executive branch influence.

10. Which system allows the President to have significant executive power?

    Presidential system. The President can act independently without requiring legislative approval for many decisions.

11. Which system is more prone to political gridlock?

    Presidential system. Separation of powers can create deadlock when branches disagree.

12. Which system often requires coalition building to form a government?

    Parliamentary system. Multiple parties must cooperate to achieve a parliamentary majority.

13. Identify the main legislative power in a parliamentary system.

    Parliament. Parliament serves as the primary lawmaking body in this system.

14. What is the role of a Prime Minister in a parliamentary system?

    Heads the government and the executive branch. The PM leads the cabinet and is responsible for day-to-day governance.

15. Identify a disadvantage of a semi-presidential system.

    Potential for conflict between President and PM. Divided executive authority can create confusion and power struggles.

16. What is the primary check on executive power in a presidential system?

    Legislative oversight. Congress monitors and controls executive actions through various mechanisms.

17. Identify one way semi-presidential systems balance power.

    Split roles between President and Prime Minister. This division prevents excessive concentration of executive power.

18. Which system can lead to divided government?

    Presidential system. Different parties can control executive and legislative branches simultaneously.

19. Which system can lead to frequent changes in government leadership?

    Parliamentary system. Governments can fall through votes of no confidence, causing leadership changes.

20. Identify a system where the head of government can dissolve the parliament.

    Parliamentary system. The head of government can trigger early elections by dissolving parliament.

21. What is a potential drawback of a parliamentary system?

    Less separation of powers. Executive and legislative fusion can reduce institutional checks on power.

22. Which system often features a directly elected president?

    Presidential system. Direct election provides the president with independent democratic legitimacy.

23. Which system allows for a vote of no confidence?

    Parliamentary system. This mechanism allows parliament to remove the government from office.

24. Which system tends to have a dual executive structure?

    Semi-presidential system. Executive power is divided between a President and Prime Minister.

25. In which system can the head of state and head of government be the same person?

    Presidential system. The President typically combines both ceremonial and governing roles.

26. What is the function of a vote of no confidence?

    To remove a government in a parliamentary system. Parliament can force the resignation of the government through this vote.

27. In which system can the legislature be dissolved by the executive?

    Parliamentary system. The executive can call early elections by dissolving the legislature.

28. Which system allows for direct public election of the head of state?

    Presidential system. Citizens directly elect their head of state, providing democratic legitimacy.

29. What is a key feature of legislative-executive relations in a semi-presidential system?

    Shared executive power between President and PM. Both officials exercise executive authority in different domains.

30. What typically characterizes the relationship between the executive and legislature in a parliamentary system?

    Executive is accountable to the legislature. The government must maintain legislative support to remain in office.

31. What is cohabitation in a semi-presidential system?

    President and Prime Minister from different parties. This occurs when the President and PM belong to opposing political parties.

32. What is a common criticism of presidential systems?

    Potential for authoritarian rule. Concentration of power in one person can undermine democratic checks.

33. Identify one key feature of a semi-presidential system.

    There is both a President and a Prime Minister. Semi-presidential systems divide executive power between these two positions.

34. In which system is the executive branch separate from the legislative branch?

    Presidential system. Institutional separation prevents concentration of power in one branch.

35. Identify a potential advantage of a parliamentary system.

    Greater executive-legislative integration. Close executive-legislative cooperation can lead to more efficient governance.

36. What is a key advantage of a presidential system?

    Clear separation of powers. Independent branches prevent concentration of power in one institution.

37. Which system typically features a coalition government?

    Parliamentary system. Multiple parties often must cooperate to form a governing majority.

38. Which system is characterized by separation of powers?

    Presidential system. Executive, legislative, and judicial branches operate independently with checks and balances.

39. What is the role of the head of state in a parliamentary system?

    Ceremonial and symbolic functions. The head of state represents the nation but has limited political power.

40. Which system has a ceremonial head of state separate from the head of government?

    Parliamentary system. The head of state has ceremonial duties while the PM governs.

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