parliamentary system
Cabinet answers to legislature
A parliamentary system is a form of government where the executive branch derives its authority from the legislature.
The head of government—typically a prime minister—is chosen by parliament and can be removed by a vote of no confidence.
This contrasts with presidential systems, where the executive is elected separately and serves a fixed term.
Most democracies use some form of parliamentary system: The UK operates under a parliamentary system where the prime minister answers to the House of Commons.
Having two chambers
- unicameralOne legislative chamber
- constitutionInherent physical or structural makeup
- monarchyRule by crowned sovereign
- cabinetEnclosed storage furniture
prime minister · speaker · backbencher · frontbencher · crossbench · shadow cabinet · governor general · head of state
Legislative inquiry period
- filibusterDelaying tactic through speech
- motionChange in position
- amendmentChange to official text
- divisionSplitting into parts
quorum · point of order · cloture · adjournment · resolution · standing orders · first reading · third reading
Electoral district's voters
- electorateEligible voting body
- suffrageRight to cast ballots
- franchiseLicensed business operation
- ballotVoting document
proportional representation · majoritarian · first past the post · preferential voting · mixed-member · redistricting · apportionment · gerrymandering
Strikes or aerates
- caucusParty selection meeting
- party disciplineLegislators following leadership's position
- oppositionActive resistance or dissent
- ruling partyFaction currently holding power
party leader · defection · bloc voting · party platform · chief whip · independent
Amount owed, written
- actDeed or performance
- statuteEnacted written rule
- enactmentPassing into law
- lawmakingCrafting enforceable rules
ordinance · select committee · government bill · white paper · assent
Formal union of parties
- minority governmentGoverning party holding fewer seats
- power-sharingJointly held governmental authority
- multi-partyInvolving multiple factions
- coalition agreementJoint governance contract
junior partner · senior partner · kingmaker · grand coalition · rainbow coalition · bloc · pact
bicameral
Having two chambers
- unicameralOne legislative chamber
- constitutionInherent physical or structural makeup
- monarchyRule by crowned sovereign
cabinet · prime minister · speaker · backbencher · frontbencher · crossbench · shadow cabinet · governor general · head of state · chancellor
question time
Legislative inquiry period
- filibusterDelaying tactic through speech
- motionChange in position
- amendmentChange to official text
division · quorum · point of order · cloture · adjournment · resolution · standing orders · first reading · third reading · royal assent
constituency
Electoral district's voters
- electorateEligible voting body
- suffrageRight to cast ballots
- franchiseLicensed business operation
ballot · proportional representation · majoritarian · first past the post · preferential voting · mixed-member · redistricting · apportionment · gerrymandering · mandate
whip
Strikes or aerates
- caucusParty selection meeting
- party disciplineLegislators following leadership's position
- oppositionActive resistance or dissent
ruling party · party leader · defection · bloc voting · party platform · chief whip · independent
bill
Amount owed, written
lawmaking · ordinance · select committee · government bill · white paper · assent
alliance
Formal union of parties
- minority governmentGoverning party holding fewer seats
- power-sharingJointly held governmental authority
- multi-partyInvolving multiple factions
coalition agreement · junior partner · senior partner · kingmaker · grand coalition · rainbow coalition · bloc · pact
- governmentgovernment, ministries, legislature, judiciary, executive branch
- governmentsdemocracy, monarchy, autocracy, oligarchy, republic
- politicsdemocracy, campaigning, campaigns, democrats, bill
- English influenceEnglish language, common law, cricket, English literature, Shakespeare
- German PoliticsBundesrat, CSU, Nazi Party, Greens, federal republic
- Commonwealth CultureCommonwealth Games, Union Jack, royal family, BBC, Westminster
parliamentary systempresidential system
Executive independent from legislature
parliamentary systemdictatorship
Unchecked single-ruler government
autocracy · authoritarian regime · absolute monarchy · totalitarianism · one-party state
system, parliament, parliaments, parliamentary, parliamentarian, parliamentarians