Which responsibility does the legislature in a parliamentary democracy usually have? Question 1 options: appointing the monarch interpreting the meaning of laws electing the head of government determining the constitutionality of laws

Social Studies · Middle School · Thu Feb 04 2021

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In a parliamentary democracy, the primary responsibility of the legislature is electing the head of government. The legislature, often composed of elected representatives, is responsible for the legislative functions of the government, which includes making and passing laws. In many parliamentary systems, the majority party or coalition in the legislature selects the head of government, usually called the prime minister or chancellor.


In a parliamentary democracy, the structure of the government is characterized by the close relationship between the legislative and executive branches. Here are a few concepts to understand this better:


1. Legislature: This is a law-making body, often composed of two houses – an upper house (sometimes called the Senate or House of Lords) and a lower house (such as the House of Commons or House of Representatives). Members of the lower house are typically elected directly by the people.

2. Head of Government: This is the prime minister or premier, who leads the day-to-day activities of the government. They are responsible for forming a cabinet, setting policy, and making decisions on running the state. The head of government is usually a member of the legislature and the leader of the majority party or coalition.

3. Monarch: In parliamentary democracies that are also constitutional monarchies (like the United Kingdom), the monarch is a ceremonial head of state, and their role is largely symbolic. They do not have governance powers in the way the elected government does.

4. Interpreting Laws: This responsibility typically lies with the judiciary. Courts interpret laws and determine how they apply to specific cases.

5. Constitutionality of Laws: Some parliamentary democracies have a separate constitutional court or a supreme court that has the power to rule on the constitutionality of laws. However, this is a function of the judiciary, not the legislature.

6. Appointment of the Monarch: In constitutional monarchies with a parliamentary system, the role of the monarch is not appointed by the legislature. Instead, the position is hereditary and determined by the royal lineage.

Understanding these roles and the separation of powers is central to comprehending how a parliamentary democracy operates.