Parliamentary System and Presidential System
A parliamentary system is a system of government in which the ministers of the executive are drawn from the legislature and are accountable to that body. In here the power to make and execute laws is held by a parliament.
A presidential system is a system of government where an executive branch exists and presides separately from the legislature, to which it is not responsible and which cannot dismiss it in normal circumstances. The executive is chosen directly by the citizens.
Features of Parliamentary System and Presidential System
Parliamentary System
| Presidential System
|
|---|---|
Dual executive, the existence of Council of Ministers and President.
| It has single executive and all the powers are vested in President.
|
The Government is formed by the majority party.
| Whereas as in the case of Presidential system both President and legislators are elected separately for a fixed term.
|
The Council of Ministers, the real executives, is collective responsible to the House.
| There is no such responsibility in this case.
|
It ensures political homogeneity.
| There is least possibility for the existence of Political homogeneity.
|
For this double membership is required.
| For this single membership is enough.
|
The head of the council, i.e, the Prime Minister, dominates and is the real Leadership.
| But the entire power revolves around the President and is the real executive.
|
Lower House can be dissolved.
| There is no need to dissolve the Lower House.
|
Separation of power is ideal and there is overlapping relations between the legislature and executive.
| There is separation of power in ideal sense to control the President.
|
Merits of Parliamentary System and Presidential System
Parliamentary System
| Presidential System
|
|---|---|
Since both the executive and legislative power is vested in PM, the possibility of clash is negligible.
| It provides stability to politics and the policy of appeasement and compromise is ruled out.
|
Since the Government is collectively responsible; there is least possibility of autocratic politics.
| It will ensure coherent policies of governance.
|
There is wider representation and participation and makes it more democratic.
| It is based on separation of power and therefore there is more check and balances and the President is more accountable.
|
In coalition politics the voice of every small parties and regions can be given importance.
| The Government is run by technical experts and therefore, the administration is more plausible and viable.
|
Demerits of Parliamentary System and Presidential System
Parliamentary System
| Presidential System
|
|---|---|
Coalition politics can ruin the political stability.
| Since there is separation of executive and legislative powers, therefore, there is greater possibility of clash.
|
It is difficult to maintain the continuity of policies for a long time.
| The Government is not collectively responsible and therefore, less accountable.
|
The Government is run by non-technical experts and therefore, the administration may not be plausible and viable.
| The possibility of an autocratic Government is more.
|
