AP Comparative Government and Politics Flashcards: Parliamentary, Presidential, and Semi-Presidential Systems
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 10 cards to help you master important concepts.
What is a parliamentary system?
A system where the lawmaking and executive functions are combined, allowing the national legislature to select and remove the head of government and cabinet.
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What is a parliamentary system?
A system where the lawmaking and executive functions are combined, allowing the national legislature to select and remove the head of government and cabinet.
Russia is provided as an example of which type of governmental system?
Russia is an example of a semi-presidential system.
In a parliamentary system, what is the relationship between the legislature and the executive?
The functions are combined, as the national legislature has the power to select and remove the head of government and their cabinet.
What is a presidential system?
A system with separate fixed-term elections for the legislature and an executive who is both head of state and government, and whose cabinet is responsible to them.
The United Kingdom is provided as an example of which type of governmental system?
The United Kingdom is an example of a parliamentary system.
Mexico and Nigeria are provided as examples of which type of governmental system?
Mexico and Nigeria are examples of presidential systems.
How can the legislature in a presidential system remove cabinet members?
The legislature can only remove cabinet members through impeachment.
In a semi-presidential system like Russia's, who holds the cabinet accountable?
Members of the cabinet are held accountable by both the president and the legislature.
What are two key features of elections in a presidential system?
These systems feature separate, fixed-term, popular elections for both the national legislature and the top executive leader.
What is a semi-presidential system?
A system with separate elections for a president and a legislature, where the president appoints a prime minister who must have the legislature's approval.