Government

Question 1

What is the Government?

Answer 1

A group of people with the responsibility to manage the affairs of a country

Question 2

Democracy is a system of government where…

Answer 2

The citizens have the right to participate in decision-making by voting in elections to choose their leaders

Question 3

Autocracy is a system of government where…

Answer 3

One person has absolute power over a nation

Question 4

List 3 features of a democracy

Answer 4

• Elections and Representatives
• Rule of Law
• Separation of Powers
• Civil Liberties and Rights
• Participation and Inclusiveness
• Transparency and Accountability

Question 5

List 3 features of Autocracy

Answer 5

• Concentration of Power
• Limited Political
• Ruled by Decree
• Restricted Civil Liberties and Rights
• Lack of Accountability and Transparency
• Control and Coercion

Question 6

The Executive (Cabinet) is made up of the…

Answer 6

Prime Minister, as the Chief Executive Officer, and Ministers of Government

Question 7

The Cabinet is responsible for:

Answer 7

• Setting policies for the country
• Seeing that the policies set are carried out
• Initiating proposals for legislation and taxation

Question 8

The Cabinet is assisted by the _________ _________ which is responsible for…

Answer 8

The Cabinet is assisted by the Civil Service which is responsible for implementing government policies

Question 9

How does the Cabinet work?

Answer 9

Members of the Cabinet have to support policies that were discussed in public and Parliament. The entire Cabinet is responsible for decisions (collective responsibility).

Question 10

The Executive is accountable to ________ and Ministers are required to…

Answer 10

The Executive is accountable to Parliament and Ministers are required to provide explanations about their Ministry’s policies when requested.

Question 11

The Parliament, also known as the _________, is responsible for:

Answer 11

The Parliament, also known as the Legislation, is responsible for:
- making laws for good governance
- providing oversight of the Government

Question 12

The Parliament consists of:

Answer 12

• The President
• The Senate (The Upper House)
• The House of Representatives (The Lower House)

Question 13

A Legislature with one body is a ___________ Legislature and if it has two bodies it’s a ___________ Legislature

Answer 13

A Legislature with one body is a Unicameral Legislature and if it has two bodies it’s a Bicameral Legislature

Question 14

The President’s roles are to:

Answer 14

• Assent Bills before they become laws
• Appoint persons to the office on recommendations of the P.M. and the Opposition Leader

Question 15

The House of Representative includes elected members of:

Answer 15

• The Cabinet
• The governing party
• The Opposition

Question 16

Functions of the House of Representatives are:

Answer 16

• Passing, amending and repealing legislation
• Approving the national budget
• Authorizing the use of public funds
• Debating issues of national importance

Question 17

The Senators in the Senate are chosen by:

Answer 17

The President - 9
Prime Minister - 16
Opposition Leader - 6

Question 18

The members of the H.O.R are _______ while the Senators are ________

Answer 18

The members of the H.O.R are elected while the Senators are appointed

Question 19

Who elects the President?

Answer 19

An electoral college consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives

Question 20

How many members are in the H.O.R?

Answer 20

41

Question 21

What actions can a Cabinet member take if he/she is not in favor of a particular policy?

Answer 21

The member may:
Resign from the party
Resign from Parliament
Remain silent on the policy

Question 22

Give two reasons why a Cabinet member may choose to support a controversial government policy.

Answer 22

• Accepts the principle of collective responsibility
• Knows that the Prime Minister may dismiss him or her for not supporting it.

Question 23

Why are laws important?

Answer 23

Laws maintain peace and order in society

Question 24

The Judiciary is the…

Answer 24

Legal branch of the government

Question 25

The roles of the Judiciary are to:

Answer 25

- Enforce the laws of the country - Resolve dispute via application of the law - Determine the punishment of offenders - Ensure other branches do not step out of their power

Question 26

Who is the Chief Justice?

Answer 26

The head of the Judiciary

Question 27

List the court from the highest to the lowest

Answer 27

Privy Council (located in England) Supreme Court ( consists of the Court of Appeal and High Court) The Magistrates Court

Question 28

List the functions of the Magistrates Court

Answer 28

- Granting of bar licenses - Granting of bail - Trial of petty offenses - Trials of minor reaches of traffic laws

Question 29

The High Court is a...

Answer 29

Superior court of records and has all the powers of such a court

Question 30

The High Court deals with the following cases:

Answer 30

- Criminal - Civil - Compensation - Matrimonial

Question 31

Which persons go to the Court of Appeal?

Answer 31

Persons who believe they received an unfair trial that want it to be reviewed by the court.

Question 32

The Court of Appeal may __________, __________, ___________ or ___________ the previous sentence

Answer 32

The Court of Appeal may confirm, reverse, increase or reduce the previous sentence

Question 33

How does the court work?

Answer 33

- All individuals are equal and entitled to a fair trial. - The accused have the right to an attorney - The accused are innocent until proven guilty

Question 34

The roles of the Judge are:

Answer 34

- Presides over the trial - Gives the jury guidance on legal matters related to the case - Determines the sentence of the accused if found guilty

Question 35

Who are the jury?

Answer 35

This is a group of 12 randomly selected persons who listen to the facts presented and determine if the accused is guilty or innocent.

Question 36

The roles of the prison system are:

Answer 36

- Punish and deter them from repeating the offence. - Safely house all prisoners - Ensure that detainees are provided with food and other amenities - Allowing visits by family, friends or lawyers - Transporting prisoners to and from court.

Question 37

The roles of the police are:

Answer 37

- Investigating reports of crime, arresting and charging suspects and taking them before the courts. - Providing evidence to ensure convictions. - Providing protection for witnesses who must give evidence. - Maintain order and security during court sittings. - Keeping criminal records.

Question 38

What is the Privy Council?

Answer 38

The Privy Council (located in England) is the final court of appeal for all Commonwealth Caribbean nations except Guyana.