3.3.2 Comparing Legislatures

• A legislature is a collective body in a government responsible for creating and amending laws
• Match the legislative function with its description:

  Legislative ↔️ Passing new laws and amending existing ones

  Representative ↔️ Representing the interests of citizens

  Oversight ↔️ Scrutinizing the executive branch
• Unicameral legislatures represent the population as a whole, while bicameral legislatures represent both the population and regional interests.


  True
• Match the type of legislature with an example country:

  Unicameral ↔️ New Zealand

  Bicameral ↔️ United States
• In a parliamentary system, the executive branch often has stronger influence over the legislative process.
• What is a key factor in determining the balance of power between the legislative and executive branches?

  Legislative powers
• In authoritarian systems, what is the role of the legislature?

  Limited legislative powers
• The choice of election process and party system can have significant implications for the functioning and representativeness of a legislature
• Steps in the impeachment process by a legislature:

  1️⃣ Accusation of misconduct

  2️⃣ Investigation by a committee

  3️⃣ Impeachment vote in the legislature

  4️⃣ Trial in a separate chamber

  5️⃣ Conviction or acquittal
• In authoritarian systems, the legislature often acts as an independent check on the executive branch.

  False
• The three main functions of a legislature are the legislative, representative, and oversight functions.
• A bicameral legislature has two chambers: an upper house and a lower house.
• Order the key differences between unicameral and bicameral legislatures:

  1️⃣ Representation: Unicameral represents population, bicameral represents population and regions

  2️⃣ Checks and Balances: Bicameral offers more internal checks

  3️⃣ Legislative Process: Unicameral has a simpler process
• Match the political system with its legislative powers:

  Presidential ↔️ Strong legislative and oversight powers

  Parliamentary ↔️ Executive influence over process

  Authoritarian ↔️ Limited legislative powers
• In parliamentary systems, the Prime Minister and Cabinet often have a stronger influence over the legislative process.

  True
• Legislatures can launch investigations into potential wrongdoing by the executive branch.

  True
• In parliamentary systems, the Prime Minister and Cabinet are drawn from and supported by the legislature
• One key function of a legislature is to scrutinize and hold the executive branch accountable.
• A unicameral legislature is a single-chamber legislative body with only one house or chamber.
• Bicameral legislatures offer more checks and balances than unicameral legislatures.


  True
• In a presidential system, legislatures have strong legislative powers, including oversight of the executive branch.
• In authoritarian systems, legislatures often have limited powers, with the ruling party or leader holding greater control.


  True
• Legislatures in presidential systems typically have strong legislative powers, including the ability to approve the budget
• Match the party system with its description:

  Two-Party System ↔️ Dominated by two major parties

  Multi-Party System ↔️ Requires coalition governments
• What is the purpose of oversight hearings in legislatures?

  Public scrutiny of executive actions
• In presidential systems, what is the balance of power between the legislature and executive branch?

  More independent