Introduction / Context:
The legislative branch is one of the three classic branches of government in a democracy, alongside the executive and the judiciary. This question checks whether you know the core responsibility of the legislative branch as compared with what courts and the executive do. Understanding this division of functions is essential for topics such as separation of powers, checks and balances, and how democratic laws are created and changed over time.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- We are dealing with a democratic system of government that usually has legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
- The legislative branch is typically made up of elected representatives in a parliament or legislature.
- The question asks for the primary function, not every possible activity.
Concept / Approach:
In almost all democracies, the legislature is the branch that makes laws. Members of the legislature introduce bills, debate them, amend them, and finally vote to approve or reject them. Once a bill is passed and receives the required approval or assent, it becomes law. The executive branch is then responsible for implementing those laws through policies and administration, and the judiciary interprets and applies those laws in specific disputes. Therefore, the approach is to identify which option clearly describes the law making role of the legislature and to distinguish it from executive and judicial functions.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that courts interpret laws and settle disputes, which is a judicial function rather than a legislative one.
Step 2: Note that implementation of laws and running government programs are executive responsibilities, usually handled by ministries and departments.
Step 3: Identify the option that talks about making, debating, and passing laws for the country.
Step 4: Compare that option with the one that mentions conducting elections, which is often done by an independent election commission, not by the legislature itself.
Step 5: Conclude that the primary role of the legislative branch is to make, debate, and pass laws, which matches option C.
Verification / Alternative check:
A quick verification is to think of bodies like the Parliament of India or the United States Congress. Their main work is to propose bills, discuss them, and vote on them. Media reports on legislature sessions usually focus on debates over bills, budgets, and amendments, which confirms that law making is their central role. Courts, by contrast, are reported for giving judgments, and governments are reported for implementing schemes and policies.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A describes the judiciary, whose purpose is to interpret laws and resolve disputes. Option B describes the executive, which executes and administers laws. Option D focuses on the practical conduct of elections and voter rolls, which is usually handled by an independent election authority rather than the legislative branch, although the legislature may create the legal framework for elections.
Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to assume that because legislatures sometimes conduct inquiries or question ministers, their main job is oversight rather than law making. Oversight is important, but it is a secondary function that supports their primary role of creating and amending laws. Another pitfall is confusing the name of an institution with its function. Remember that the word legislature itself comes from the idea of making laws or legislation.
Final Answer:
The primary function of the legislative branch in a democratic system is to
make, debate, and pass laws for the country.
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