Comparative Govt. and Politics Most Important Questions with Answer BA Programme sem-4 in English Medium

What are the distinguishing features of the presidential system of the United States?

US government

1. Executive  

2. Legislature

3. Judiciary

• The President serves as both head of state and head of government.

• He has significant powers, including vetoing legislation and appointing federal officials.

• and the ability to act as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

• The President serves a four-year term with a maximum of two terms,

• While members of the House of Representatives serve a two-year term and senators serve a six-year term.

• The United States Senate is the upper chamber of the United States Congress. The United States Senate and the lower chamber of Congress, the United States House of Representatives, comprise the federal bicameral legislature of the United States. 

• The US is a federal system, which means power is divided between the national government and state governments.

• It allows some degree of local autonomy while maintaining a strong central government.

Independent Judiciary

• The judicial branch is independent from the executive and legislative branches and is responsible for interpreting and enforcing the law.

• Federal judges, including Supreme Court justices, are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate,

• The U.S. Constitution contains a Bill of Rights, which outlines fundamental rights and freedoms

• Those protected from government infringement, such as freedom of speech, religion, and the right to a fair trial.

• America uses the system of direct elections to choose its leaders,

• This democratic process ensures that leaders are accountable to the people and can be removed from office through elections.

Two-party System

• The United States has historically operated under a two-party system, with the Democratic and Republican parties dominating national politics.

Explain the difference between unitary and federal political systems with suitable examples?

Unitary Political System

• In a unitary system, the central or national government has all the power.

• Subnational governments, such as states or provinces, derive their authority from the central government and can be created or abolished by it.

Features:

• Centralized Power: All major powers and functions are vested in the central government.

• Limited autonomy: Subnational governments have limited powers and authority, which are mostly delegated by the central government.

• Uniform laws: Laws and policies are generally uniform across the country.

Example:

• France: In France, the national government in Paris has significant powers, and local governments have limited autonomy.

• China: China operates under a unitary system where the central government in Beijing controls provincial and local governments.

Federal Political System

• In a federal system, power is divided between the central or national government and subnational governments (e.g., states, provinces).

• Shared power: Both the central and subnational governments have their own jurisdictions and powers.

• Dual sovereignty: Each level of government acts independently within its own sphere of influence.

• Diverse laws: Subnational governments have the power to create and enforce laws that apply in their territories, which can lead to variations in laws across the country.

Example

• United States: The United States operates under a federal system where powers reside in Washington, D.C. are divided between the federal government and individual state governments.

• Each state has its own government, constitution, and set of laws.

• Germany: Germany is another example of a federal system where powers are divided between the federal government and 16 individual states (Länder).

• Each state has its own government and legislature, and enjoys significant autonomy in areas such as education, policing, and cultural matters.

What are the main features of The First Past The Post System?

• Electoral systems play an important role in determining how votes are converted into seats in a representative body such as the Parliament or Legislative Assembly.

• This system is a simple plurality voting system where voters cast one vote for one candidate, and the candidate with the most votes wins.

• It is commonly used in single-member districts, where each district elects one representative to the legislative body.

• Plurality victory:  The candidate with the most votes wins the election, even if they do not win an absolute majority.

• It is straightforward and easy for voters to understand, as they only have to choose one candidate.

• This often leads to a two-party system, where two major parties dominate and smaller parties find it difficult to win seats.

• This may result in disproportionate representation of parties or candidates who have strong support in specific geographic areas, even if their support is not evenly distributed across the country.

1. Candidate A receives 40% of the votes.

2. Candidate B receives 35% of the votes.

3. Candidate C receives 25% of the votes.

What do you understand by totalitarian/authoritarian regime?

Compare between authoritarian and democratic regimes.

AUTHORITARIAN REGIMES

• An authoritarian regime is a form of government that is characterized by strong centralized power and limited political freedom.

• In such regimes, political power is generally concentrated in the hands of a single leader.

• Limited political participation: Citizens have no role in government decision-making processes. If elections are held, they are often manipulated or controlled to ensure that the ruling party or leader remains in power.

• Restrictions on Civil Liberties: Freedom of speech, assembly, and the press are often restricted.

• Centralized control: The government maintains tight control over the economy, media, judiciary, and other institutions, often using them as tools to maintain power and suppress opposition.

• Lack of transparency and accountability: Authoritarian regimes often lack transparency in governance and are not held accountable to the public or independent institutions.

DEMOCRATIC SYSTEMS OF GOVERNANCE

• A democratic regime is a form of government that is characterized by political equality, the rule of law, and the protection of individual rights and freedoms.

• In democratic systems, power is derived from the consent of the governed, and political authority is distributed among various institutions and elected representatives.

• Political participation: Citizens have the right to vote, express their opinions, and participate in political processes.

• Elections are free, fair and regularly held to choose leaders and representatives.

• Civil Liberties and Rights: Democratic regimes preserve freedom of speech, assembly, religion, and the press.

• Decentralized power: Democratic systems distribute political authority among multiple branches of government (executive, legislative, judicial) and levels of administration (local, regional, national)

• Transparency and accountability: Democratic governments are generally more transparent in their decision-making processes and accountable to the public, independent institutions, and the rule of law.

Distinguish between one-party, two-party, multi-party systems.

Differentiate between which of the following do you think is best suited for democracy?

ONE PARTY

• In a one-party system, only one political party is legally allowed to hold power, and it controls all aspects of governance.

• Opposition parties may be banned, and elections, if held, are often mere formalities without real competition.

• Examples include the Communist Party of China and the former Communist Party of the Soviet Union.

TWO-PARTY

• In a two-party system, two major political parties dominate the electoral landscape and have real chances of winning elections.

• Although other parties may exist, they generally have limited influence and struggle to garner significant electoral support.

• The United States is a classic example of a two-party system, with the Democratic Party and the Republican Party being the main contenders.

MULTI PARTY SYSTEM

• In a multi-party system, multiple political parties compete for power, and multiple parties can realistically win elections.

• Examples include Germany, India, and many European countries.

WHICH IS BEST SUITED FOR DEMOCRACY?

• In general, multiparty systems are often considered more representative and inclusive, as they allow a broader range of voices and viewpoints to be heard.

• They can also promote compromise and coalition-building, leading to more stable and consensus-based governance.

• However, multiparty systems can also be more complex and challenging to manage, especially in terms of forming stable governments and making timely decisions.

• On the other hand, two-party systems may provide clearer electoral choices and more streamlined governance, but may limit political diversity and marginalize minority viewpoints.

• One-party systems are generally not considered conducive to democracy, as they lack competition, checks and balances, and opportunities for political participation and dissent.