Do you know how your government works?

[BCRanger10]

Do you know how your government works?

What kind of system do you have? How are your leaders selected? How much authority do they have? What are the legislative bodies and, more importantly, what rules do they have? How do the courts and legal system work? How do laws get made and passed?

And I mean at least in theory, so don't say "old rich white guys run everything." Again, in theory.

[RavVid]

Yeah I do. My country has a parliamentary system. There is no direct election of the Prime Minister - he is just the chosen leader of the party that won the most seats at the last election. In practice though, it is the leader of the party who wins government and people in effect vote the Prime Minster in.

At the very moment the Prime Mister is sworn in, there is a Leader of the Opposition created. I've been reflecting that, is a singular advantage of our system compared to the US system because there is a position to hold the Prime Minister to account.

There is a formal session called Question Time in which this is done. There is no hiding. If the Prime Minster stuffs up badly enough and for long enough he will be belittled and humiliated in Question Time. Eventually his party will destroy him because he becomes a liability.

One PM lasted over 16 years. Another lasted 11 years. Quite a lot don't make it past the three year term.

Overall it is the Leader of the Opposition and Question Time that is most important in our system of government because that determines the rest.

[AviatorTom]

Yes, I know how the government is supposed to work, as defined in the US Constitution and each state's Constitution. I also understand how it deviates from that.

[NewWaves]

Great question. And very good call out. Because it seems I know more about other people's countries' politics than my own.

But I am reading our proposed constitution amendments right now.

My country has had dynasty leadership for decades. We had a coup a couple years ago. No casualties that I know of. The new "transition" government seems to be doing a good job. Some like them, some don't.

I don't know enough about the history of our leadership, the mess of their corruption and relationships to say for sure who's good or not.

But good calling me out with the great question. I'm gonna have to look into it in earnest.

[Daniela1982]

Seeing as most people in Congress retire as millionaires, it doesn't take much to figure it out.

[RavVid]

It is interesting how capitol air is so good for your wealth in all countries isn't it?

[NathanDavis]

yes... but I know it doesn't work...

[onedarkcloud]

But it does work THE DEMOCRATIC COMMUNIST PARTY OF AMERICA could not figure out how to rig the election because they had an idiot running for office. There were many more qualified people that would have given Trump a real run for office, they chose an idiot.

[Apple1996]

Yes at least the basics. I've taken government/civics class. I'm not crazy interested or else I'd learn more

[DrPepper12]

Yes for most governments. I've taught Global, USA, Civics, Economics, Psychology, Sociology, Criminal Justice, Human Geography & Comparative Government teacher.

[noohair]

The legislative branch is a Professional Political Overseer Class that has one mission, to get reelected and stay in power. The 2 major parties are different sides of the same coin. They are the elected part of the swamp.

[exitseven]

Yes, rich people donate to politicians so the politician will do them favors. The taxpayers get screwed.

[phraseology]

Who says it works? I how how it is suppose to function, but that is not what is going on...

[phraseology]

*know

[Garud]

I knew it earlier but now I have forgotten it because expectations are low

[DryGermanGuy]

Mine and several other foreign governments, yes.

[FunkyMonkee]

Not completely but, it's gonna be working a LOT better come Jan.!!

[beefcakebradybatson]

Westminster Parliamentary System (Federal) as part of the British Commonwealth.

[msc545]

The real way it works is via Corruption and MONEYand sex. The rest is just bullshit.

[WhiteBoyChill]

No. But I look forward to Doge cleaning things up

[sawno]

More than most

[Dargil]

It hasn't worked for years.

[Anonymous]

Yes. It doesn't

[RedInnocent69]

Yeah, better than most

[SaoirseS]

Yes I do.

[NamerOfStars]

Poorly.

[Ladsin2]

Bribery?