In which country was the first full fledged parliamentary form of government, often called the Westminster model, historically developed?

Introduction / Context:
This question is about the historical origin of the parliamentary form of government. Many modern democracies today are parliamentary, presidential or mixed, but the classic parliamentary model, often referred to as the Westminster model, evolved in one specific country. India adopted this parliamentary system from that country, and exam questions frequently ask you to identify its origin in order to connect comparative politics with Indian polity.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The focus is on the first parliamentary form of government, historically developed in one country.
• Options include Britain, Belgium, France, Switzerland and the United States.
• We assume standard political science understanding of the Westminster model and its origin.

Concept / Approach:
The parliamentary system emerged gradually in Great Britain, where the monarch's powers were progressively limited and the Cabinet became responsible to Parliament, particularly the lower house, the House of Commons. Over time, this system came to be known as the Westminster model, named after the Palace of Westminster where the British Parliament meets. India and many other Commonwealth countries adopted and adapted this model. Therefore, when asked about the first parliamentary government, the correct answer is Britain.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Recognise that the parliamentary system in its classic form is called the Westminster model. 2. Westminster refers to the seat of the British Parliament in London. 3. It was in Britain that the Cabinet became collectively responsible to the elected House of Commons, a key feature of parliamentary government. 4. Other countries like Belgium, France and Switzerland later adopted different variants of parliamentary or mixed systems, but they were not the origin. 5. Hence, the first parliamentary form of government was developed in Britain.

Verification / Alternative check:
Comparative politics texts often divide democracies into Westminster style parliamentary systems, continental parliamentary systems, presidential systems and semi presidential systems. Under Westminster style, the model country is Great Britain. Indian polity books explicitly mention that India borrowed its parliamentary system from the British model. These cross references confirm that Britain is the correct answer when the question asks about the origin of the parliamentary form of government.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Belgium: It has a parliamentary system today but did not originate the Westminster model.
• France: Associated with republicanism and has used both parliamentary and presidential or semi presidential systems but is not the birthplace of the Westminster system.
• Switzerland: Known for direct democracy mechanisms and a special kind of collegial executive, not the original parliamentary model.
• United States of America: Origin of the modern presidential system, not the parliamentary system.

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates misinterpret the phrase parliamentary form of government and confuse it with general democratic government, leading them to select countries like France or the United States that are well known democracies but not originators of the parliamentary model. The safest approach is to link parliamentary government with the Westminster model, remember that Westminster is in London, and thereby associate the origin with Britain.

Final Answer:
The first full fledged parliamentary form of government, the Westminster model, was historically developed in Britain.