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Difficulty: MediumParliamentary vs Presidential Executive Systems

In a parliamentary system of government, what is the constitutional obligation of a minister who publicly disagrees with a policy decision collectively taken by the cabinet?

  1. Resign from the cabinet to maintain the principle of collective responsibilityAnswer
  2. B
    File a suit at the Supreme Court for judicial review of the executive decision
  3. C
    Initiate impeachment proceedings in the legislature against the Prime Minister
  4. D
    Retain ministerial office while acting independently of executive directives

Answer

Resign from the cabinet to maintain the principle of collective responsibility
Under a parliamentary executive system, the doctrine of collective responsibility mandates that all cabinet ministers share joint responsibility for government policies. If a minister disagrees with a cabinet decision, they must either defend it publicly or resign from the cabinet.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the key institutional feature of a parliamentary executive being tested
The concept of collective responsibility binds all members of the cabinet to support decisions made by the council of ministers.
Parliamentary systems require executive cohesion and unified presentation of government policy to parliament.
2
Determine the constitutional recourse for a dissenting minister under this principle
A minister who cannot publicly defend or support a cabinet policy must resign from office.
Failure to resign while opposing official policy violates cabinet solidarity and parliamentary convention.

Key Concept

Collective Responsibility in Parliamentary Systems
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Parliamentary vs Presidential Executive Systems

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