Government Institutions Free Online FlashCards

What does a constitution establish?

A constitution establishes the basic rules of government, including institutional powers, rights, territorial arrangements, and procedures for making or changing laws.

How do codified and uncodified constitutions differ?

A codified constitution is organized in a single authoritative document or set of constitutional texts. An uncodified constitution draws on statutes, judicial decisions, conventions, and historical documents.

What makes a constitution rigid?

A rigid constitution requires a special amendment process, such as a supermajority or state approval. The U.S. Constitution requires ratification by three-fourths of the states.

How do federal and unitary systems differ?

A federal system constitutionally divides authority between national and regional governments. A unitary system retains ultimate constitutional authority in the national government.

What defines a presidential system?

In a presidential system, the president is separately elected from the legislature and serves a fixed constitutional term. The president is commonly both head of state and head of government.

What sustains a parliamentary government?

In a parliamentary system, the prime minister normally leads the party or coalition commanding a majority in the lower chamber and must retain the legislature’s confidence.

What is China’s State Council?

China’s State Council is the highest state administrative organ. Led by a premier, it administers ministries and commissions within the broader system of Communist Party leadership.

What are the main functions of a legislature?

A legislature makes laws, approves budgets, represents citizens or territorial units, and oversees the executive.

Why do legislatures use two chambers?

Bicameralism can combine population-based representation with territorial representation. For example, the U.S. House is population-based, while the Senate gives each state equal representation.

What is judicial review?

Judicial review is the power of courts to determine whether laws or government actions comply with a constitution.

What does parliamentary sovereignty mean?

Parliamentary sovereignty means Parliament is generally the highest lawmaking authority, so courts normally cannot invalidate an Act of Parliament.

What is a bureaucracy?

A bureaucracy is the network of ministries, departments, agencies, civil servants, and regulatory bodies that implements public policy.