AP Comparative Government and Politics Flashcards: Legislative Systems

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Legislative Systems, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Comparative Government and Politics.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What is a parliamentary system?

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

Flashcard 2: What is 'legislative immunity'?

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

Flashcard 3: How is a 'select committee' different from a standing committee?

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

Flashcard 4: Identify one disadvantage of a bicameral legislature.

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

Flashcard 5: What does the term 'gerrymandering' refer to?

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

Flashcard 6: What is a bicameral legislature?

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

Flashcard 7: Identify a disadvantage of the first-past-the-post system.

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

Flashcard 8: Identify a disadvantage of the first-past-the-post system.

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

Flashcard 9: What is 'proportional representation' in a legislative context?

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

Flashcard 10: What is the primary role of a legislative 'subcommittee'?

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

Flashcard 11: What is a presidential system?

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

Flashcard 12: How does a bill become law in a bicameral legislature?

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

Flashcard 13: What is the primary function of a legislature?

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

Flashcard 14: What is a 'bill' in legislative terms?

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

Flashcard 15: Identify one characteristic of a parliamentary system.

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

Flashcard 16: What is a 'majority government'?

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

Flashcard 17: What role does the legislature play in budget approval?

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

Flashcard 18: What is the main purpose of a legislative amendment?

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

Flashcard 19: Identify one characteristic of a presidential system.

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

Flashcard 20: What is a 'quorum' in legislative procedures?

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

Flashcard 21: Identify one advantage of a bicameral legislature.

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

Flashcard 22: What is the purpose of a 'motion of no confidence'?

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

Flashcard 23: Identify one key function of legislative committees.

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

Flashcard 24: What is the purpose of a legislative caucus?

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

Flashcard 25: Define 'legislative oversight'.

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

Flashcard 26: Identify an advantage of proportional representation.

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

Flashcard 27: What is the purpose of a legislative caucus?

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

Flashcard 28: Which country uses a bicameral system at the national level?

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

Flashcard 29: What is a 'bill' in legislative terms?

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

Flashcard 30: What is the function of a 'conference committee'?

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

Flashcard 31: Identify a key power of the legislative branch.

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

Flashcard 32: What is 'legislative privilege'?

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

Flashcard 33: What is a 'consensus government'?

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

Flashcard 34: Identify one disadvantage of a bicameral legislature.

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

Flashcard 35: What is the primary function of a legislature?

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

Flashcard 36: Define 'legislative oversight'.

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

Flashcard 37: What is a coalition government?

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

Flashcard 38: What is the role of the opposition in a legislature?

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

Flashcard 39: What is a 'majority government'?

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

Flashcard 40: Identify one key function of legislative committees.

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

Flashcard 41: Which country uses a bicameral system at the national level?

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

Flashcard 42: What is the role of the opposition in a legislature?

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

Flashcard 43: What is the main purpose of a legislative amendment?

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

Flashcard 44: What is 'proportional representation' in a legislative context?

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

Flashcard 45: What is a unicameral legislature?

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

Flashcard 46: What is the purpose of a 'motion of no confidence'?

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

Flashcard 47: What is a 'whip' in a legislative context?

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

Flashcard 48: What is the function of a 'conference committee'?

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

Flashcard 49: What is 'legislative privilege'?

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

Flashcard 50: What is the role of a legislative speaker?

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

Flashcard 51: What is the role of a legislative speaker?

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

Flashcard 52: What is a bicameral legislature?

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

Flashcard 53: What is 'legislative immunity'?

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

Flashcard 54: Identify one advantage of a bicameral legislature.

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

Flashcard 55: What does 'filibuster' mean in a legislative context?

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

Flashcard 56: Identify one characteristic of a parliamentary system.

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

Flashcard 57: Identify one characteristic of a presidential system.

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

Flashcard 58: What does 'filibuster' mean in a legislative context?

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

Flashcard 59: Identify a key power of the legislative branch.

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

Flashcard 60: What is a 'consensus government'?

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

Flashcard 61: What is a legislative committee?

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

Flashcard 62: What is a unicameral legislature?

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

Flashcard 63: Which legislative system is more common worldwide, unicameral or bicameral?

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

Flashcard 64: What is a parliamentary system?

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

Flashcard 65: Identify an advantage of proportional representation.

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

Flashcard 66: How does a bill become law in a bicameral legislature?

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

Flashcard 67: What is a 'whip' in a legislative context?

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

Flashcard 68: What is a coalition government?

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

Flashcard 69: What role does the legislature play in budget approval?

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

Flashcard 70: What is the 'first-past-the-post' electoral system?

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

Flashcard 71: What is a 'minority government'?

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

Flashcard 72: What is the 'first-past-the-post' electoral system?

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

Flashcard 73: What is a legislative committee?

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

Flashcard 74: What is a presidential system?

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

Flashcard 75: What is the primary role of a legislative 'subcommittee'?

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

Flashcard 76: What does the term 'gerrymandering' refer to?

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

Flashcard 77: What is a 'quorum' in legislative procedures?

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

Flashcard 78: How is a 'select committee' different from a standing committee?

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

Flashcard 79: What is a 'minority government'?

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

Flashcard 80: Which country uses a unicameral system at the national level?

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