Parliamentary Democracy Quiz

1. Which of the following is a key feature of a parliamentary system as opposed to the U.S. presidential model?

• A strict separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches.

• A directly elected president who serves as both head of state and head of government.

• A fusion of powers where parliament chooses the prime minister who forms the government.

• Fixed election intervals that cannot be altered.

In Great Britain, the head of state is the __________ and the head of government is the __________.

• Prime Minister; Queen

• Queen; Prime Minister

• President; Prime Minister

• Prime Minister; President

A "no confidence" vote in the British Parliament can lead to:

• The impeachment of the monarch.

• A delay in the passage of legislation for up to one year.

• The resignation of the government and potentially new elections.

• The suspension of the House of Lords.

The French Fifth Republic, established in 1958, is best described as:

• A hybrid system combining elements of both parliamentary and presidential democracies.

• A purely parliamentary democracy modeled after Great Britain.

• A purely presidential democracy modeled after the United States.

• An authoritarian regime led by a strong executive.

In France's dual executive system, the head of state is the __________ and the head of government is the __________.

• Prime Minister; President

• President; Prime Minister

• Queen; Prime Minister

• President; Monarch

Unlike the U.S. Congress, the French National Assembly does NOT have the power to:

• Approve all proposed laws.

• Question and criticize the government.

• Face a dissolution by the president.

• Introduce financial bills.

A key characteristic of German federalism is that the Länder (states):

• Have very limited powers compared to U.S. states.

• Have primary responsibility for legislation in areas like education and cultural affairs and implement federal laws.

• Primarily focus on foreign affairs and national defense.

• Are largely symbolic with no real legislative or administrative power.

9. In the German parliamentary system, the head of government is the __________ and the head of state is the __________.

• President; Chancellor

• Queen; Chancellor

• Chancellor; Monarch

• Chancellor; President

10. What is a "constructive vote of no confidence" in the German Bundestag?

• A vote that only requires a simple majority to oust the chancellor.

• A vote where the Bundestag must simultaneously choose a successor when ousting a chancellor.

• A vote initiated by the Bundesrat to challenge federal legislation.

• A vote that triggers a national referendum on the government's performance.

The 1947 Japanese constitution established a system where sovereignty resides in:

• The Japanese people, expressed through the Diet.

• The Emperor, who also serves as head of government.

• A group of elder statesmen known as the genro.

• The military, which had become dominant in the 1930s.