Question

Which characteristic defines the collective responsibility of the Council of Ministers in a Parliamentary System?

• A. Each minister is individually responsible only for their own department
• B. The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Head of State
• C. The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to Parliament for its decisions
• D. Ministers are only responsible to the Prime Minister

Answer 1

Answer:

C. The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to Parliament for its decisions

Parliamentary system 

• In a parliamentary system, the executive (led by a Prime Minister and Council of Ministers) is part of the legislature (Parliament) and depends on its support to stay in power.

Key Features of the Parliamentary System

Executive Part of Legislature:

• The Prime Minister and ministers are members of Parliament, linking the executive and legislative branches.

• Example: In the UK, the Prime Minister is an elected Member of Parliament (MP) who leads the government.
  
  

Dependence on Majority Support:

• The government stays in power only if it has the support of the majority in Parliament.

• Example: In India, the Prime Minister must maintain the confidence of the Lok Sabha (lower house) to remain in office.
  
  

Collective Responsibility:

• The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to Parliament for its decisions.

• Example: In Canada, if a major policy fails a vote in Parliament, the entire government may resign.

Flexible Tenure:

• The government can be removed before its term ends if it loses Parliament’s support (e.g., through a no-confidence vote).

• Example: In Italy, governments often change due to no-confidence votes or coalition breakdowns.
  
  

Head of State vs. Head of Government:

• The head of state (e.g., monarch or president) is separate from the head of government (Prime Minister).

• Example: In the UK, the King is the head of state, while the Prime Minister is the head of government.