What type of government requires the executive branch to maintain the confidence of the legislative branch to govern effectively?

The correct answer is the type of government that requires the executive branch to maintain the confidence of the legislative branch to govern effectively is called Responsible Government. In a responsible government system, the executive branch, often headed by a prime minister or premier, is accountable to the legislature (parliament or assembly). This means that the government must have the support of the majority of elected representatives in the legislative branch to remain in power. If the executive loses this confidence—often measured through votes such as a no-confidence motion—it may be required to resign, leading to new elections or a change of leadership. This structure ensures that the government acts in accordance with the will of the people as represented through their elected officials, promoting a democratic process where the executive is responsible to the legislature and, by extension, the citizens.

In contrast, a dictatorship is characterized by centralized control and lacks this essential accountability to the legislature. A federal government describes a system where power is divided between national and regional governments but does not inherently relate to the confidence relationship between branches. A unitary government centralizes authority in a single national government, often minimizing the independence of local governments, but again does not focus on the legislative confidence required for the executive branch to function.