Chapter 7- Parliamentary Democracy

Dual Executive

Division of functions of head of state and chief executive officer between two persons. Prime minister= chief executive officer between two persons. Prime minister= chief executive another elected official (or royal) is the ceremonial head of state

Camp David Accords

1979 Agreement, Israel gave the Sinai back to Egypt in return for Egypt's recognition of Israel's right to exist. Formed full diplomatic relations and pledged to be at pease together

No-Confidence vote

A legislative vote that the sitting government must win to remain in power

Intifada

Arabic uprising, Palestinians against Israelis

British Raj

British colonial rule on the Asian subcontinent from the 18th century to 1947, when India and Pakistan become independent

Balfour Declaration

British foreign secretary (1917) declared that the UK favored the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people and pledged that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of the existing non-jewish communities in Palestine or by Jews in any country

How can the British manage without a written constitution?

British manage without written constitution through Loyal Opposition- criticizes the majority's policy initiatives and holds the government accountable for its actions

Weimer Republic

Constitutional democracy founded in Germany @ end of WWI in 1919 in city of Weimer- associated with political and economic turmoil. Ended when nHitler came to power in 1933

Compare and contrast democracy in France with democracy in the United States and the United Kingdom

Democracy in France was modeled on the UKs/USs system, but it combines the two and relies on a strong, executive branch. The president if the head of the state, so they are separate from the legislative branch, possess a wide array of powers, and serves a fixed 5-year term.

Compare the strengths and weaknesses of parliamentary versus presidential rule

Difficult to say which is better- answer is within the specific context and circumstances of each nation.

Meij Restoration

End of Japan's feudal era (1868), a small group of powerful peeps crowned a new emperor, started economic modernization program, and established a modern governmental bureaucracy.

Parliamentary System

Features a fusion of powers- parliament chooses the prime minister who forms a government. Parliament can force the government to resign at any time by a simple majority "no confidene" vote

When did the current French republic come into being and under what circumstances?

Fifth Republic- representative democracy created in 1958, meant to overcome what Charles de Gaulle thought to be the great nemesis of French politics (dictatorship) de Gaulle insisted that a strong executive branch would counterbalance the divided parliament President = chief of stat (not prime minister)

National Assembly

Focal point of France's bicameral legislative branch that must approve all laws

What are the basic operating principles of the parliamentary system?

Fusion of powers- Parliament chooses the prime minister who forms a government. Parliament can force the government to resign at any time by a majority "no confidence" vote. Indefinite terms of office- based on ability to maintain "confidence". - Disciplined Parties- tendency of legislators to vote consistently as a bloc with fellow party members in support of the party's platform. Dual executive- British head of state= Queen Elizabeth II. Actual head of government= Prime minister- sets foreign/ domestic policy

Common Law

Great Britain, laws derived from consistent precedents found in judge's rulings and decision opposed to those enacted by Parliament - In US, common law was in force at time of Revolution and not nullified by the constitution or any subsequent statute.

When did Japan adopt a parliamentary system and under what circumstances?

Japan adopted the parliamentary system in 1947, which was imposed by the victors of WWII. The emperor remains head of state (as a ceremonial figure) - Prime minister= real form of government - House of representatives= 480 (4 years) - House of Counsilors= 252 (6 years) *Diet- only institution of government empowered to make laws. - Japanese constitution, war potential- Never maintained

Compare and contrast democracy in Japan with democracy in France and Great Britain.

Japan= concensus-based society with informal highly personal networks of political power basde on patron-client relations into a set of political institutions that are similar to Europe (made in USA)

Sovereignty

Laws passed by Parliament are not subject to judicial review. Now rejection of the crown.

Bundestag

Lower house in the German federal system. Most legislative activity here

Lok Sabha

Lower house of India's Fed Parliament- Directly elected house of people (Like UK) governments are formed by majority party

Zionism

Movement whose genesis was in the reestablishment, and now the support of the Jewish national state of Israel

Moghuls

Muslim invaders who created a dynastic empire on the Asian continent.

Mixed Regime

Nation where various branches of government= social class

Loyal Opposition

Out-of-power party has a responsibility to formulate alternative policies/programs

Divided Executive

Situation in French government where president/prime minister differ in political party or outlook

Party Discipline

Tendency of legislators to vote consistently as a bloc with fellow party members in support of the party's platform

Why is the British political system often considered a model of parliamentary democracy?

The British political system is considered a model of paliamentary Democracy because it features a fusion of powers, indefinite terms of office, disciplined parties and a dual executive. It has been imitated more widely than the U.S. model. Especially in Europe, where it has inspired most of the constitutional democracies in existence.

Comment on the significance of parliamentary democracy in India and Israel

They are examples that a parliamentary model is highly adaptable and has wide application, even in high places that appead troubled or turbulent for elections to occur or stable governments to endure

Knesset

Unicameral Israeli Parliament

Parliamentary

Unwritten constitution principle, British parliament- law makers

Bundesrat

Upper house in German federal system- members appointed by the Lander (states), exercise mostly informal influence in the legislative profession

Rajya Sabha

Upper house of india's Federal Parliament, the indirectly elected Council of States

Question Time

Weekly times Mon-Thurs to criticize decisions of government - Prime minister must answer hostile questions from the opposition