Collective Responsibility

Definition

Collective responsibility is a principle in parliamentary systems where all members of the governing party or coalition are collectively accountable for decisions made by the government. This means that if one member disagrees with a decision, they are still expected to publicly support it.

Related terms

Party Discipline: The expectation that members belonging to a political party will vote together and support party policies.

Whip System: A system used by political parties to ensure party discipline by monitoring how members vote and enforcing consequences for those who do not follow party lines.

Coalition Government: When multiple political parties form an alliance or agreement to govern together, often requiring collective responsibility among the parties involved.