IMPORTANT TOPICS IN PAD 170:

GOVERNMENT & POLITICS

1. Government
a. What is Government?
b. Explain the functions/role of Government
c. What are the advantages and disadvantages of a
coalition form of government?
d. What is meant by “supremacy of law”?

2. The Legislature
a. What are the functions of the legislature in a
parliamentary system?
b. Explain the roles of The Senate (Dewan Negara)
and the House of Representatives (Dewan
Rakyat) in Malaysia.
c. Unicameral & Bicameral legislature : Explain the
differences, advantages & disadvantages
d. How are laws made in Malaysia? OR Explain the
process & procedure for enacting laws in Malaysia
OR
How does a Bill become law in Malaysia?
e. Methods of Direct Legislation: Explain
“Referendum” and “Initiative.”

3. The Executive
a. Define “Executive.”
b. What are the functions of the Executive?
c. What are the differences between “nominal
executive” and “real executive”?
d. What are the differences between “single
executive” and “plural executive”? What are the
advantages of a “single executive”?
e. What are the differences between “political
executive” and non-political executive”? What are
their functions?
f. Evaluate the role of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in
Malaysia today.
g. Discuss the role of the Malaysian Cabinet.
h. Discuss the role of the Prime Minister in Malaysia.
 i. Compare and contrast the Executive in the US
Presidential system and the Parliamentary
j. system in Malaysia.
k. Discuss the various methods of choosing the
Executive.

4. The Judiciary
a. Define the term “Judiciary.”
b. What are the powers and functions of the
judiciary in Malaysia?
c. Discuss the various methods for the appointment
of judges.
d. What is meant by “the independence of the
judiciary”?
e. Discuss the factors that ensure the independence
of the judiciary? OR Discuss the ways in which
the independence of the judiciary is secured in
Malaysia.
f. Discuss the importance of the independence of
the judiciary.
g. What are the constitutional provisions relating to
the independence of the judiciary in Malaysia.
h. Explain the structure, organization and
jurisdiction of the courts system /judicial system
in Malaysia.

5. The Civil Service/Public Administration

a. Definition of “civil service”/”public service”
b. Definition of “public administration”
c. Principles, features and functions of public
administration
d. Neutrality of the civil service and how to make the
civil service effective
e. Characteristics /functions of the civil service

6. Party System & Pressure Groups (Interest

Groups)
a. What is a political party? What are its features
(characteristics)?
b. Explain the role of political parties in a democratic
country.
 c. Explain the merits and demerits of Single-Party,
Two-Party and Multi-Party systems.
d. What are Pressure/Interest groups? What are
their characteristics?
e. What are the functions of pressure/interest
groups?
f. What strategies or methods do pressure groups
adopt to influence government policies?
g. What are the differences between pressure
groups and political parties?

7. Elections, Electoral Systems & Voting

Behaviour
a. Definition of “political franchise” and “universal
suffrage.”
b. Definition of ‘electoral system.’
c. Explain the functions an importance of elections.
d. Which groups of people don’t have the right to
vote?
e. Explain the various electoral
systems/representation systems
f. What are the factors that determine a successful
election?
g. Evaluation of the role of the Election Commission
in Malaysia
h. Explain the ways to ensure a free and fair
electoral process
i. The factors that influence voters’ behaviour in an
election

8. FORMS OF GOVERNMENT
a. Parliamentary versus Presidential government
(features, differences, advantages &
disadvantages)
b. Unitary versus Federal government ( ‘’
‘’ “)
c. Absolute versus Constitutional monarchy (“
“ “ ” )
d. Autocratic versus Democratic government (“
“ “ )
e. Authoritarian government
f. Totalitarian government
 g. Liberal democracy; direct and indirect
(representative) democracy
(Characteristics, differences, advantages (merits)
and disadvantages (demerits) of these forms
of government are important).

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© Peter Johnson 2006- 2008