Repository: UIHistories Project: War Publications - WWI Compilation 1923 - Article 48 [PAGE 8]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

(c) (d)

The right of interpellation is abused. There is a multiplicity of political parties.

The German System. In Germany the true parliamentary system has not heretofore existed, because the ministers are not members of the legislature nor are they responsible to it. They were appointed by the Emperor and were responsible to him alone. (Compare the Saverne case). Merits of the Parliamentary System. The legislature and executive work in harmony. The same body which formulates legislative policies carries them into execution. By means of the power of dissolution an appeal may be taken a t any time to the electorate to determine conflicts between the executive and the legislature. Is the English government more responsive to public opinion than that of the United States, as is sometimes asserted? Demerits. Instability; lack of concentration of power. Presidential Government: (the United States). A system in which the executive and legislative functions are in the main kept separate. The executive is independent of the legislature both as to tenure and political policies, being responsible to it only for criminal acts. Members of the cabinet are not members of the legislature; they do not necessarily belong to the party in control of the legislature; they are appointed by the executive and are responsible to him alone. Queries: Should members of the cabinet be allowed seats in Congress even if not responsible to it? Why was the Parliamentary system not introduced into the United States?

Functions of Government:

The Paternalistic Theory: the government is a better judge of what the common welfare requires than the people are; the government should guide and direct them; regulate their daily lives; watch over common What a system of government on the character of the people? The Socialistic Theory. The State should in addition to its functions of police and defense engage in various industrial undertakings (such as the operation of railroads, telegraphs and the like), promote the social and economic Interests of the people, provide them with free education and even amusement, insure them against old age and sickness, lend money to farmers, etc. The German governments and especially that of Prussia own the railroads, canals, telegraphs, telephones, mines of various kinds, forests, conduct savings banks, pawn shops, employment agencies, systems of insurance, and have a virtual monopoly of education. The German cities own and operate all public utilities, maintain opera houses, public markets, slaughter houses and even milk depots, lodging houses, restaurants, etc. The governments of England, Australia, New Zealand and other countries 9