Parliamentary democracy MCQs

By: Prof. Dr. Fazal Rehman Shamil | Last updated: July 22, 2024

1. What is parliamentary democracy? a) A system of government where the president holds all powers
b) A system of government where the executive branch is separate from the legislative branch
c) A system of government where the parliament is supreme and the executive branch derives its legitimacy from the legislature
d) A system of government where the judiciary has supreme authority

Answer: c) A system of government where the parliament is supreme and the executive branch derives its legitimacy from the legislature

2. Which country is often cited as the birthplace of parliamentary democracy? a) France
b) United States
c) United Kingdom
d) Germany

Answer: c) United Kingdom

3. In a parliamentary democracy, who is typically the head of government? a) President
b) Prime Minister
c) Monarch
d) Chief Justice

Answer: b) Prime Minister

4. What is the role of the parliament in a parliamentary democracy? a) Implementing government policies
b) Making and passing laws
c) Representing the executive branch
d) Appointing judges

Answer: b) Making and passing laws

5. What is the primary function of the executive branch in a parliamentary democracy? a) Making laws
b) Enforcing laws
c) Interpreting laws
d) Reviewing laws

Answer: b) Enforcing laws

6. In a parliamentary democracy, how is the head of government chosen? a) Direct popular vote
b) Indirect election by the parliament
c) Appointment by the judiciary
d) Appointment by the military

Answer: b) Indirect election by the parliament

7. What is the term length for a prime minister in a parliamentary democracy? a) 3 years
b) 4 years
c) 5 years
d) Depends on the constitution of the country

Answer: d) Depends on the constitution of the country

8. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of parliamentary democracy? a) Separation of powers
b) Rule of law
c) Regular elections
d) Majority rule

Answer: a) Separation of powers

9. In a parliamentary democracy, who has the authority to call for early elections? a) President
b) Prime Minister
c) Speaker of the Parliament
d) Judiciary

Answer: b) Prime Minister

10. What is the role of the opposition in a parliamentary democracy? a) Implementing government policies
b) Holding the government accountable
c) Appointing ministers
d) Enforcing laws

Answer: b) Holding the government accountable

11. Which of the following countries does NOT have a parliamentary democracy? a) Canada
b) Japan
c) United States
d) Australia

Answer: c) United States

12. In a parliamentary democracy, who has the power to dismiss the government? a) President
b) Prime Minister
c) Monarch
d) Chief Justice

Answer: c) Monarch

13. What is the role of the cabinet in a parliamentary democracy? a) Making laws
b) Enforcing laws
c) Advising the head of government
d) Reviewing laws

Answer: c) Advising the head of government

14. Which of the following is NOT a function of parliament in a parliamentary democracy? a) Making laws
b) Representing the people
c) Enforcing laws
d) Oversight of the government

Answer: c) Enforcing laws

15. What is the term length for a member of parliament in a parliamentary democracy? a) 3 years
b) 4 years
c) 5 years
d) 6 years

Answer: c) 5 years

16. In a parliamentary democracy, who has the power to dissolve the parliament? a) President
b) Prime Minister
c) Speaker of the Parliament
d) Monarch

Answer: b) Prime Minister

17. What is the term length for a session of parliament in a parliamentary democracy? a) 3 months
b) 6 months
c) 9 months
d) 1 year

Answer: d) 1 year

18. What is the role of the opposition leader in a parliamentary democracy? a) Advising the Prime Minister
b) Leading the opposition party
c) Chairing parliamentary committees
d) Appointing ministers

Answer: b) Leading the opposition party

19. Which of the following is a feature of parliamentary democracy? a) Limited government
b) Single-party rule
c) Bicameral legislature
d) Direct democracy

Answer: c) Bicameral legislature

20. In a parliamentary democracy, who has the authority to ratify treaties? a) President
b) Prime Minister
c) Parliament
d) Judiciary

Answer: c) Parliament

21. What is the role of the judiciary in a parliamentary democracy? a) Making laws
b) Enforcing laws
c) Interpreting laws
d) Advising the government

Answer: c) Interpreting laws

22. Which of the following is a characteristic of parliamentary democracy? a) Authoritarian rule
b) Minority rule
c) Majority rule
d) Dictatorship

Answer: c) Majority rule

23. In a parliamentary democracy, who has the power to appoint ministers? a) President
b) Prime Minister
c) Monarch
d) Speaker of the Parliament

Answer: b) Prime Minister

24. What is the significance of the vote of no confidence in a parliamentary democracy? a) It removes the President from office
b) It removes the Prime Minister from office
c) It dissolves the parliament
d) It appoints a new Speaker of the Parliament

Answer: b) It removes the Prime Minister from office

25. What is the primary role of the Speaker of the Parliament in a parliamentary democracy? a) Leading the government
b) Leading the opposition
c) Presiding over parliamentary proceedings
d) Appointing judges

Answer: c) Presiding over parliamentary proceedings

26. In a parliamentary democracy, who has the authority to declare a state of emergency? a) Prime Minister
b) President
c) Chief Justice
d) Speaker of the Parliament

Answer: b) President

27. What is the role of the Chief Whip in a parliamentary democracy? a) Leading the government
b) Leading the opposition
c) Ensuring party discipline
d) Appointing ministers

Answer: c) Ensuring party discipline

28. Which of the following is a principle of parliamentary democracy? a) Rule of law
b) Rule of the majority
c) Rule of the minority
d) Rule of the monarch

Answer: b) Rule of the majority

29. What is the purpose of the Question Hour in a parliamentary democracy? a) Debate on legislative proposals
b) Scrutiny of government actions
c) Presentation of budget
d) Election of Speaker

Answer: b) Scrutiny of government actions

30. In a parliamentary democracy, what happens if the government loses a confidence vote? a) Prime Minister resigns
b) President dissolves the parliament
c) Judiciary appoints a new government
d) Speaker of the Parliament becomes the new Prime Minister