Comparative Western Political Systems

Cohabitation occurs in France when the President is forced to appoint a Prime Minister from a different party because that party holds the majority in parliament. This situation arises when there is a divided government, with the President and Prime Minister representing different political parties. It can lead to a period of political tension and compromise as the two leaders navigate their differing agendas and attempt to govern effectively.

Angela Merkel is the current Chancellor of Germany. She has been in office since 2005 and is the first woman to hold this position. Merkel is a prominent figure in European politics and has played a key role in shaping Germany's domestic and international policies. Her leadership has been characterized by her pragmatic approach and ability to navigate complex political situations. Merkel's tenure as Chancellor has seen her deal with various challenges, including the Eurozone crisis, migration issues, and the COVID-19 pandemic. She has been widely regarded as one of the most influential and powerful women in the world.

Margaret Thatcher served as the Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1979 to 1990. She was the first female Prime Minister in British history and is known for her conservative policies and strong leadership style. During her time in office, Thatcher implemented economic reforms, privatized industries, and played a key role in the Cold War. Her tenure as Prime Minister had a significant impact on British politics and society, earning her the nickname "Iron Lady".

The correct answer is majoritarian because in Great Britain, the government power is held by the majority party. This means that the decisions and policies of the government are determined by the majority's preferences and interests. The majoritarian government operates on the principle of majority rule, where the majority party has the authority to make decisions and implement policies without the need for extensive consensus or compromise with other parties.

The electoral system of Great Britain is plurality with single member constituencies. This means that in each constituency, the candidate who receives the most votes, even if it is not an absolute majority, wins the election. This system allows for a clear winner in each constituency and ensures that each constituency is represented by a single member in the Parliament. Proportional representation, on the other hand, would allocate seats based on the proportion of votes received by each party, while the double-ballot majority system would require a candidate to receive an absolute majority of votes to win.

Jacques Chirac is the correct answer because he is the only French Prime Minister to have served twice. He served as Prime Minister from 1974 to 1976 and then again from 1986 to 1988. Chirac went on to become the President of France from 1995 to 2007, but he is specifically known for his unique distinction of serving as Prime Minister twice.

The head of state in Great Britain is the Queen. As a constitutional monarchy, the Queen holds a largely symbolic and ceremonial role, representing the unity and continuity of the nation. While the Prime Minister is the head of government and holds executive power, the Queen serves as the official head of state, performing various ceremonial duties and representing the country both domestically and internationally. The Chancellor and Shadow Prime Minister are not positions that hold the same level of authority as the head of state.

Guido Westerwelle is the correct answer because he was the first openly gay member to hold the position of Foreign Minister in Germany. This suggests that he broke barriers and made history by being open about his sexual orientation while serving in a high-ranking government position.

The first Grand Coalition in Germany was formed between the Socialists and the Christian Democrat Union. This coalition brought together two major political parties with different ideologies in order to create a stable government. The Socialists, representing the left-leaning side, and the Christian Democrat Union, representing the center-right, joined forces to address the challenges and govern the country effectively. This coalition was significant as it demonstrated the willingness of these parties to work together and prioritize the stability and progress of Germany.

The political system of France is known as a semi-presidential democracy because it combines elements of both a presidential and parliamentary system. In a semi-presidential system, there is a directly elected president who holds significant executive powers, such as appointing the prime minister and vetoing legislation. However, the president also shares power with a prime minister and a cabinet, who are responsible for day-to-day governance and legislative affairs. This system allows for a separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches, providing a balance of power and checks and balances.

The correct answer is 588. The Bundestag is the lower house of the German federal parliament, and it consists of 598 members. These members are elected through a mixed-member proportional representation system, where half of them are elected through direct voting in constituencies and the other half through party lists. Therefore, the correct answer is 588, as it represents the total number of members in the Bundestag.

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The correct answer is Communists (PCF), Greens (V), Socialists (PS), Democratic Movement (MD), Union for a Popular Movement (UMP), National Front (FN). This answer includes all six major parties in the French government as listed in the question. The other options either have a different party included or are missing a party that is listed in the question.

Helmut Kohl was the Chancellor of Germany and played a crucial role in the creation of the Maastricht Treaty. The Maastricht Treaty was signed in 1992 and laid the foundation for the European Union by establishing the framework for the Economic and Monetary Union, as well as introducing the common currency, the Euro. Kohl worked closely with President Mitterrand of France to negotiate and shape the treaty, making him one of its key architects.

The Prime Minister of Great Britain is considered the most powerful head of government in the world because the position holds significant executive power and influence. The Prime Minister is the head of the British government and is responsible for making important decisions, leading the country's policies, and representing the nation internationally. The Prime Minister also has the authority to appoint and dismiss government officials, propose and implement legislation, and manage the country's affairs. This position's extensive powers and responsibilities contribute to its recognition as the most powerful head of government globally.

The Chancellor of Germany is appointed by the President, with a vote of confidence from the Bundestag. This means that the President has the authority to appoint the Chancellor, but this appointment is subject to the approval and support of the Bundestag, which is the lower house of the German parliament. The Chancellor needs to have the majority support from the members of the Bundestag in order to be appointed. This system ensures that the Chancellor has the confidence and backing of the legislative body, which is crucial for effective governance.

The answer "Political stability, alternation, performance, accountability" is correct because these are the four main objective ways to evaluate political systems. Political stability refers to the ability of a political system to maintain order and avoid major disruptions. Alternation refers to the peaceful transfer of power through elections, indicating a healthy democratic process. Performance refers to the effectiveness of the political system in achieving its goals and meeting the needs of the people. Accountability refers to the transparency and responsibility of the government in its actions and decision-making processes. These four factors provide a comprehensive evaluation of a political system's functioning and effectiveness.

Popularity and satisfaction are two subjective ways to evaluate political systems. Popularity refers to the level of support and approval that a political system enjoys among the general population. It indicates how well the system is perceived and accepted by the people. Satisfaction, on the other hand, measures the contentment and fulfillment of individuals within the political system. It assesses whether the system is meeting the needs and expectations of its citizens. By considering both popularity and satisfaction, one can gain a comprehensive understanding of the effectiveness and acceptance of a political system.

If the Bundestag is unable to reach an absolute majority when voting for the Chancellor, the President can either pick the relative majority winner or call for an election. This means that if no candidate receives an absolute majority of votes in the Bundestag, the President has the authority to either select the candidate who received the most votes (relative majority) or decide to hold a new election. Therefore, the correct answer is either B or C.

A minimum winning coalition refers to a situation where the smallest number of parties required to form a winning majority is present. In this case, only two parties are needed to create a winning coalition. This term is used to describe a scenario where the coalition is formed by the minimum number of parties necessary to achieve a majority and gain power.