The situation is quite analogous in reference to the dissolution of a Reichstag. If the President dissolves the Reichstag and wants to prevail over its majority he can no longer retain the Ministry supported by this majority. Dissolution results from the fact that the President seeks, by a new election, to change the majority to a minority and the minority to a majority. He must therefore ask himself this question. What political combination can I use? Such a calculation must be faced if it is not permitted the President to prescribe a dissolution of the Reichstag except with the countersignature of a Minister. The President is not absolutely subject to the majority; he may attempt, in appealing to the people, to make another majority of the minority, but in that case he must take into this minority statesmen who will accept the responsibility for such an attempt. The President may, therefore, order the referendum and dissolve the Reichstag; but these two decisions, like all the others, must be countersigned by a Minister. * * * * * In addition to the powers we have just examined, all of which are expressly provided by the Constitution, there are others which the President possesses because they logically follow from even the practice of a parliamentary régime. Certainly he has the right to demand reports from Ministers and any information from them on the course of affairs. He has the right also to be present at sessions of the Cabinet; and while it is true that he has not the right to vote there, he may come there whenever he pleases and take the chair.[44] 4.--THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PRESIDENT. Responsibility engenders authority and there is no authority without responsibility. Whatever powers a Constitution may give its chief of state, they will rest a dead letter if he cannot personally assume the responsibility for the exercise of these powers. The President of the United States, who is thus held responsible, really governs. In a parliamentary régime the chief of state is not responsible; thence comes its weakness. But the German Constitution desires at once a parliamentary régime and a strong presidency. It must therefore seek a ground for the combination of the two. (1) _Politically_ the President of the Reich is in theory not responsible. That is to say, that he cannot be overthrown by vote of lack of confidence on the part of the Reichstag. All his acts must be countersigned by a Minister, and it is the latter who takes the responsibility for them and who alone suffers the consequences.