Parliaments

Question 1

what are the two main legislative bodies?

Answer 1

-parliaments
-legislatures

Question 2

what are parliaments?

Answer 2

legislative bodies in parliamentary systems of government (Europe)

Question 3

what are legislatures?

Answer 3

legislative bodies in presidential systems of government (USA, Russia, Latin America)

Question 4

what are the three main functions of parliaments/legislatures?

Answer 4

1. representation
2. control and oversight
3. legislation and policymaking

Question 5

what is meant by representation as a function of parliaments/legislatures?

Answer 5

-linkage
-representing
-debate

Question 6

what does the function of control and oversight of parliaments/legislatures refer to?

Answer 6

activities by which parliament monitors the functioning of the executive branch

Question 7

what is one way of parliaments/legislatures to achieve control?

Answer 7

vote of no confidence

Question 8

what are some ways of parliaments/legislatures to achieve oversight?

Answer 8

-questioning the government
-special hearings
-budget control

Question 9

what are the two types of legislative powers in the context of “legislation and policymaking” as a function of parliaments/legislatures?

Answer 9

negative powers and positive powers

Question 10

what are negative powers of parliaments/legislatures?

Answer 10

-expressing opinions
-delaying legislation
-vetoing legislation

Question 11

what are positive powers of parliaments/legislatures?

Answer 11

-amendment of legislation
-initiation of legislation

Question 12

what is filibuster?

Answer 12

a tactic to delay or kill a legislation through long speeches that prolong debates

Question 13

what are the three main factors that constitute the structure of parliaments/legislatures?

Answer 13

1. number of chambers
2. parliamentary committees
3. members

Question 14

what are the different types of parliaments/legislatures based on the number of chambers?

Answer 14

-unicameral parliament (has only one house)
-bicameral parliament (has two houses)

Question 15

what are some examples of unicameral parliaments?

Answer 15

Sweden, Norway, Denmark

Question 16

what are some examples of bicameral parliaments?

Answer 16

United States, Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands

Question 17

what are two different types of bicameral parliaments?

Answer 17

Symmetric vs. Asymmetric Bicameralism

Question 18

what is Symmetric Bicameralism?

Answer 18

powers of both chambers are equal

Question 19

what is Asymmetric Bicameralism?

Answer 19

second chambers are weaker than the first

Question 20

what are parliamentary committees in parliaments/legislatures?

Answer 20

Places for specialisation

Question 21

what are the two types of parliamentary committees in parliaments/legislatures?

Answer 21

Permanent (Standing) vs. Ad-hoc (Select) committees

Question 22

what are the two important factors in terms of members in parliaments/legislatures?

Answer 22

-size of parliament
-incumbency rates

Question 23

why is the size of parliament important?

Answer 23

smaller parliaments are more efficient in decision making

Question 24

why are incumbency rates important?

Answer 24

more experienced MPs form better governments and oppositions