What does conditional party government imply about party responsibility?

Conditional party government suggests that party responsibility is most effective when there is a significant level of policy agreement among members of the majority party. When party members share common goals and policy preferences, it allows for cohesive action and stronger party leadership. This scenario typically leads to a more unified approach to legislation and decision-making within Congress.

The concept arises from the idea that parties can only exert strong control over their members when those members are aligned on critical issues. Thus, when widespread agreement exists, the party can present a clear agenda and exert influence over the legislative process, fostering accountability to the party's platform. This contrasts with situations where there are significant divisions within the party, which can lead to fragmentation and hinder the party's ability to act collectively.

The other options do not accurately represent the relationship between party responsibility and policy agreement. For example, stating that party responsibility exists only during national elections does not capture the continuous nature of party governance. Similarly, claiming it exists regardless of policy agreement overlooks the essential role that agreement plays in facilitating party cohesion. Lastly, stating that it is a permanent feature of congressional leadership ignores the dynamic nature of party politics, where conditions can change based on the ideological alignment of party members.