Political Process - Week 6 - Parliamentary Systems and Administration

basics of parliamentary systems

• A system of governing in which there is a close interrelationship between the Prime Minister and Cabinet and Parliament (law-making body).

• Contains executive branch (queen to prime minister and cabinet) and legislative branch (queen to senate to house of commons)

responsible government

• The Prime Minister and Cabinet is accountable to Parliament for its actions and must retain the support of the elected members of parliament.

• Parliamentary system is associated with the political history of the United Kingdom

1. Prime Minister and Cabinet is accountable to Parliament for its actions and must retain the support of the elected members of the House of Commons to remain in office

2. Parliament is the supreme law-making body who can also “make and unmake governments” (Mintz et el, 2015, page 259).

3. Must be as transparent as possible so that government is accountable to the House of Commons and to the people. 

features of parliamentary systems

• In a majority government situation, heavy concentrating power is in the hands of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, thus often limiting Parliament’s significance

• May result in different views and interests being ignored by the government

what is a non confidence motion

a motion put forward by opposition members in a legislature expressing a lack of confidence in the government. if passed, the prime minister is expected to either resign or request that an election be held

what is the westminister system

a governing system that developed in britain featuring single party majority rule, executive dominance of parliament, and an adversarial relationship between the governing party and the opposition

which countries use what systems? 2 examples each

• canada + india = westminister

• germany + spain = non confidence motion

• denmark + sweden = republics with a president

describe the order that a responsible government must follow

1. PM and cabinet propose most laws that are passed by parliament

2. parliament approves new laws and changes to existing laws

3. PM is responsible for overseeing the implementation and administration of laws passed by parliament and military action

political party: majority

• the government formed when the PM’s party has a majority of the house of commons

• single party forms the government

political party: minority

• a single party governs, but that party does not have a majority of the members in the house of commons

• they must gain support of another party to pass legislation

political party: coalition

• a government in which two or more political parties jointly govern, sharing the cabinet positions

• norm in europe, i.e. germany since 1949 ideologies close

• canadas only coalition government was formed during WW1

the head of state

• the governor general acts on behalf of the monarch and is, in effect, the head of the state

• important position but more ceremonial

• not involved in politics/governing

• non-partisan head of state; symbol of unity for a country

• ensure legitimacy and dismisses unconstitutional governments

the cabinet

• one minster from each province

• has departments, responsibilities and sense of solidarity

what does the parliament of canada consist of and what do they do

• house of commons and senate

• holds the government accountable for its actions

• helps voters decide which party to support in next election

house of commons

• lower chamber

• elected by canadians who are eligible to vote

senate

• higher chamber

• composed of individuals appointed by the Governor General

passing legislation in canada

1. proposal prepared by government department

2. proposal considered and approved by cabinet

3. bill drafted by department of justice and approved by cabinet

4. first reading - bill present to house of commons

5. second reading - bill approved by house of commons

6. bill given to house of commons for examination

7. house of common either accepts for rejects

8. third reading - final approval by house of commons

9. bill goes to senate

10. approved by governor general

11. LAW COMES INTO EFFECT!

official opposition

the party with the2nd highest number of seats leads the questioning/criticism

filibuster

delaying tactics used by opposing party when passing legislation