Responsible government facts for kids

Responsible government is a special way that some democratic governments work. It means that the people in charge of the country's daily operations (the executive) must answer to the elected representatives (the parliament). Think of it like a team where the leaders need the support of the main group to keep their jobs.

In countries like the United Kingdom, this accountability usually goes to the 'Lower House' (called the House of Commons). This is because the people in the Lower House are elected by citizens. The 'Upper House' (House of Lords) is not fully elected. So, the government is more accountable to the people who voted.

How Responsible Government Works

In a country with responsible government, the main leaders who run the country are called the cabinet. These cabinet members are also part of the group that makes laws, called the legislature.

For the cabinet to stay in power, they need the support of most of the legislature. If the legislature no longer supports the cabinet, two things can happen:

• There might be a new election.
• A different political party might form a new cabinet.

This system makes sure that the government is always working with the support of the people's elected representatives.

Countries with Responsible Government

Countries that use responsible government often have what is called a parliamentary system of government. Some good examples of countries that use this system are the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.

Countries Without Responsible Government

Not all countries use responsible government. In some places, the cabinet and the legislature are chosen separately. This means they are not directly linked in the same way.

This system has more "separation of powers". It means the different parts of the government are kept more separate. The United States and France are examples of countries that do not use a system of responsible government.

Images for kids

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  The Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada in 1792. Elective assemblies existed in British North America since the 18th century, although the colonies' executive councils were not beholden to them.

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  Lord Durham, the governor general of British North America, made a report shortly after the 1837–38 rebellions that recommended the implementation of responsible government

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  A political cartoon from Punch in Canada, in 1849 depicting a "young Canada" being delighted by Lord Elgin pulling the strings of a puppet, representing responsible government.

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  John Molteno, Father of Responsible Government and first Prime Minister of the Cape.

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  Cartoon critical of responsible government, showing power and positions divided between various factions by Cape leaders, depicted as owls, Molteno (to the right) and Saul Solomon.

See also

In Spanish: Gobierno responsable para niños