Question

UPSC Prelims 2020 Question:

A Parliamentary System of Government is one in which

1. all political parties in the Parliament are represented in the Government
2. the Government is responsible to the Parliament and can be removed by it
3. the Government is elected by the people and can be removed by them
4. the Government is chosen by the Parliament but cannot be removed by it before completion of a fixed term

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2: the Government is responsible to the Parliament and can be removed by it

Detailed Solution

Explanation:

A Parliamentary System of Government is a system of government having the real executive power vested in a cabinet. It is composed of members of the legislature who are individually and collectively responsible to the legislature.
This responsibility implies that the executive remains in power as long as the house has faith in it. When confidence is lost, Parliament can remove it by passing a no-confidence motion.
The Parliamentary System operates regardless of whether all parties are represented in the government.
The Government is not directly elected by the people but indirectly through their representative in Parliament.
The fundamental principle of Parliamentary Democracy requires an executive responsible to the legislature. Additionally, if the Government looses the support of the house, it may be dismissed before the end of a specified term.

Therefore, option (2) is the correct answer.

Subject: Polity | Parliament

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