Question

Which of the following are essential features of a parliamentary government?
A.Separation of powers
B.Proportional representation
C.Rule of law
D.Cabinet responsibility to the legislature

Answer 1

Hint: A parliamentary government is when the executive political decision making power is vested in the cabinet members of the legislature. An example of a country that has a parliamentary form of government is India.

Complete answer: The constitution of India unlike the American constitution adopted a Parliamentary form of government. In this form of government the power lies in the cabinet members of the legislature who are headed by the Prime Minister.
Option A. separation of powers. The powers are distributed equally between three principle bodies i.e. the judiciary, executive and legislature.
Option B. proportional representation means that all the three bodies have equal representation of the powers that have been given to them. For example, the judiciary is responsible for the system of courts and justice, the legislature is responsible for making laws and policies and the executive is responsible for enforcing the laws and policies. Option C. rule of law is when the constitution has supreme power. This was the kind of government Idea initially wanted.
Option D. cabinet responsibility to the legislature. The principle of coordination and cooperation between the executive organs and the legislative is the most important feature of a parliamentary government.
The correct answer to this question is option D - cabinet responsibility to the legislature.

Note: Do not confuse this concept with the presidential form of government where the executive decision-making power lies entirely in the president unlike in a parliamentary form of government. An example of a country that has the presidential form of government in the United States of America.