Parliamentary systems

Defining parliamentary government?

Govt survival depends on elected assembly (not independent president).

4 characteristics of fused powers?

1. Parliament elects govt. 2. Govt needs continuing support. 3. PM can dissolve parliament. 4. Cabinet from parliament.

Principal-agent in parliamentarism?

Parliament (principal) → Govt (agent). Remedies: Selection (ex ante), Control (ex post).

Parliament functions (5)?

Public debate, scrutiny of govt bills, executive oversight, question time, political recruitment.

Accountability paradox?

Ex post control (vote of no confidence) but weak monitoring; relies on ex ante party selection.

Majoritarian vs Consensus democracy?

Majoritarian: Majority rule, power concentration, single-party govt. Consensus: Proportional influence, power-sharing, coalitions.

Coalition govt challenges?

Elite bargaining, no direct voter influence, "govern together, campaign separately"

Minority govt?

Govt parties < majority seats; needs external support; common w/ investiture rules.

Bicameralism factors?

1. Selection rules. 2. Congruence (symmetry). 3. Decision powers/legitimacy.

Parliamentary vs Presidential origins?

Parliamentary: English (1523, monarch + assembly). Presidential: US (1787, independent executive).

Succession in parliamentarism?

Party chooses new PM after resignation (legitimacy questions? No popular mandate needed).