Responsible government facts for kids

Responsible government is a principle of some democratic governments. It is not the same as a government with responsibility. A responsible government is one in which there is a degree of accountability towards parliament. There is also the fundamental concept of Bicameralism. For example, in the United Kingdom the accountability tends towards the Lower House (House of Commons), as the upper House (House of Lords) is not wholly elected. Thus, there is a better representation of those who voted for the government that holds the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty.

In the government of a country that uses responsible government, the leaders of the executive branch of government (called the cabinet) are also members of the legislature. Also, the cabinet must have the support of the majority of the legislature to stay in power. If it loses the support of the legislature, there will be an election or a different political party will make a new cabinet.

Countries that use responsible government usually have parliamentary systems of government. Some examples of countries that have responsible government are the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.

In countries that do not have responsible government, the cabinet and the legislature are each elected separately. This system has more separation of powers than a system with responsible government. Some examples of countries that do not have a system of responsible government are the United States and France.

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