Legislative Systems - AP Comparative Government and Politics

1. What is a parliamentary system?

   A system where the executive is derived from the legislature. The prime minister and cabinet emerge from parliamentary majority.

2. How is a 'select committee' different from a standing committee?

   Select committees are temporary; standing are permanent. Select committees address specific issues while standing committees are ongoing.

3. Identify one disadvantage of a bicameral legislature.

   Can lead to legislative gridlock. Disagreement between chambers can stall the legislative process.

4. What is a bicameral legislature?

   A legislature with two chambers or houses. This structure allows for representation of different interests in each chamber.

5. Identify a disadvantage of the first-past-the-post system.

   Can lead to disproportionate representation. Winners may receive less than 50% of votes in their district.

6. What is a presidential system?

   A system with a separate executive elected independently of the legislature. This creates separation of powers between branches of government.

7. How does a bill become law in a bicameral legislature?

   It must be approved by both chambers. Both chambers must pass identical versions for final approval.

8. What is the primary function of a legislature?

   To create, amend, and pass legislation. This is the core lawmaking responsibility of legislative bodies.

9. What is a 'bill' in legislative terms?

   A proposed law presented for debate and approval. Bills become law after passing through the legislative process.

10. What is a 'majority government'?

    A government formed by a party with more than half the seats. This provides clear mandate and stable governance capacity.

11. What role does the legislature play in budget approval?

    Approves and authorizes government budgets. This gives the legislature control over government spending priorities.

12. Identify one characteristic of a presidential system.

    The executive and legislature are separately elected. This creates fixed terms and separation of powers.

13. What is a 'quorum' in legislative procedures?

    The minimum number of members needed to conduct business. Without a quorum, the legislature cannot make valid decisions.

14. What is the purpose of a 'motion of no confidence'?

    To demonstrate a lack of support for the government. Successful motions can force government resignation in parliamentary systems.

15. What is the purpose of a legislative caucus?

    To coordinate action among members with shared interests. Caucuses unite legislators around common policy goals or identities.

16. Define 'legislative oversight'.

    Monitoring and supervising government actions. This ensures executive accountability through review and investigation.

17. Identify an advantage of proportional representation.

    More accurately reflects voter preferences. Small parties can gain representation matching their popular support.

18. What is 'legislative privilege'?

    Rights and immunities ensuring legislative independence. These protections preserve legislative autonomy from external interference.

19. What is a 'consensus government'?

    A government where decisions are made by general agreement. This approach seeks broad agreement rather than majority rule.

20. What is a coalition government?

    A government formed by multiple political parties. This occurs when no single party wins a majority of seats.

21. What is the role of the opposition in a legislature?

    To challenge and scrutinize the government. Opposition parties provide alternative policies and hold government accountable.

22. Identify one key function of legislative committees.

    Review and amend proposed legislation. Committees provide detailed examination before full legislative votes.

23. Which country uses a bicameral system at the national level?

    The United States uses a bicameral system. Congress consists of the House and Senate.

24. What is the main purpose of a legislative amendment?

    To change or add to a proposed bill or existing law. Amendments allow fine-tuning and improvement of legislative proposals.

25. What is 'proportional representation' in a legislative context?

    Seats allocated based on the percentage of votes received. This system awards seats proportional to each party's vote share.

26. What is the function of a 'conference committee'?

    To reconcile differences in bills from both chambers. These committees resolve conflicts between different chamber versions.

27. What is the role of a legislative speaker?

    Presides over debates and maintains order. The speaker ensures parliamentary procedure is followed correctly.

28. What is 'legislative immunity'?

    Protection from prosecution for actions within legislative duties. This protects legislators from legal retaliation for their official work.

29. Identify one advantage of a bicameral legislature.

    Provides checks and balances within the legislature. The second chamber can review and modify decisions from the first.

30. Identify one characteristic of a parliamentary system.

    The executive is accountable to the legislature. The legislature can remove the executive through no-confidence votes.

31. What does 'filibuster' mean in a legislative context?

    A tactic to delay or block legislative action. This procedural tool can extend debate indefinitely in some systems.

32. Identify a key power of the legislative branch.

    The power to enact laws. This distinguishes the legislature from executive and judicial branches.

33. What is a unicameral legislature?

    A legislature with one chamber or house. This structure simplifies decision-making with a single legislative body.

34. Which legislative system is more common worldwide, unicameral or bicameral?

    Unicameral systems are more common worldwide. About 60% of national legislatures worldwide use unicameral systems.

35. What is a 'whip' in a legislative context?

    An official responsible for party discipline. Whips ensure party members vote according to party positions.

36. What is the 'first-past-the-post' electoral system?

    Candidates win by receiving the most votes in a constituency. This simple plurality system is used in many democracies.

37. What is a legislative committee?

    A group within the legislature that focuses on specific issues. Committees provide specialized expertise on particular policy areas.

38. What is the primary role of a legislative 'subcommittee'?

    To focus on specific aspects of broader legislative issues. Subcommittees provide detailed examination of specialized policy areas.

39. What does the term 'gerrymandering' refer to?

    Manipulating electoral boundaries for advantage. This practice distorts electoral fairness for partisan gain.

40. What is a 'minority government'?

    A government formed by a party without a majority of seats. This requires negotiation and compromise with other parties for support.

41. Which country uses a unicameral system at the national level?

    Denmark uses a unicameral system. Denmark's Folketing is a single-chamber parliament.

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