Question

Why might parliamentary sovereignty be a risky system?

1) The parliament members are appointed, not elected.
2) The parliament has total control over the budget.
3) The parliament determines constitutionality of its own actions.
4) It would not be risky.

Answer 1

The main risks associated with parliamentary sovereignty include a lack of checks and balances, particularly regarding budget control and the parliament determining the constitutionality of its own actions, potentially leading to abuses of power.

Step-by-step explanation:

Parliamentary sovereignty might be considered a risky system due to a few factors:

1. The members of parliament typically are elected, not appointed, which counters the first statement provided. However, issues can arise if the elected representatives do not reflect the will of the people.
2. The parliament does have control over the budget, which can be a risk if there is a lack of checks and balances.
3. The significant risk comes from the fact that the parliament determines the constitutionality of its own actions. This can result in a lack of independent judicial review, which in turn could threaten the separation of powers principle and lead to unlimited legislative authority.

These factors highlight the potential for abuses of power within a parliamentary system. For instance, without external checks, the parliament may pass legislation that extends beyond the bounds of acceptable governmental action, potentially compromising individual rights and the rule of law.