Preview

Is Parliamentarism Conducive to Better Political Outcomes Than Presidential Systems?

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
2257 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Is Parliamentarism Conducive to Better Political Outcomes Than Presidential Systems?
Is Parliamentarism conducive to better political outcomes than Presidential systems?
My interpretation of the question leads me to believe if parliamentary systems are better than presidential systems in deriving better political outcomes. By better political outcomes this implies not only ease of making political decisions but also the manner in which the two systems function and which is better, and whether or not this leads to favourable political outcomes. Issues that I am going to discuss in this essay are going to include the functionality of both systems, the differences between the two systems and whether or not the system provides and facilitates good political outcomes.
According to Bagehot “a Presidential system endows the incumbent with both the ceremonial functions of a head of state and the effective functions of a chief executive.”(Bagehot) In a Presidential system the executive branch exists and resides outside of the legislature. The executive branch does not purpose legislature but have the power to veto them. “The president has a fixed term in government and it is usually a difficult process trying to eliminate the president.”(Verney) The executive branch controls their cabinet and does not members of the cabinet serve at their will, this means the President can hire or fire anyone from the cabinet. According to Verney “Parliamentary system, consists of the head of government that are dependent on the confidence of the legislature and can be dismissed by a legislative vote of no confidence.”(Verney) There are two main types of parliamentary democracy which consist of the ‘Westminster system’ and the ‘Consensus system’ but there is also a hybrid of the presidential and parliamentary system which is called the semi-presidential system. The Westminster system derives from the UK and can be found in many of Britain’s ex-colonies such as India and Canada. The Westminster system tends to be a more adversarial style of debating. The consensus system



Bibliography: Bagehot W, (1867) The English Constitution, MacMaster University Dahl, R (1989) Democracy and Its Critics- - Yale University Press Horowitz, Donald L. (1990) Comparing Democratic Systems- The Johns Hopkins University Press Kennedy. John F. (1940)- Why England Slept?, Macmillan Lijphart, Arend (1999). Patterns of democracy. New Haven: Yale University Press. Linz, Juan J. The Perils of Presidentialism - The Johns Hopkins University Press Riggs, Fred. (1988) The Survival of Presidentialism in America International Political Science Review Verney

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Best Essays

    It is known to most that western countries are on the rule of parliamentary democracy. We also know that Western countries inherited their political system from the ancient Greeks and Romans, especially the Roman political system. It has shaped the western parliamentary system more than any others. However, different parliamentary systems and their specific characteristics have shaped Ancient Rome from what it was to…

    • 4122 Words
    • 17 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Apush Chapter 6 Summary

    • 1528 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Chapter 12: The Presidency I. Presidents and prime ministers A. Characteristics of parliaments 1. Parliamentary system twice as common 2. Chief executive chosen by legislature 3. Cabinet ministers chosen from among members of parliament 4. Prime minister remains in power as long as his or her party or coalition maintains a majority in the legislature B. Differences 5. Presidents are often outsiders; prime ministers are always insiders, chosen by party members in parliament 6. Presidents choose their cabinet from outside Congress; prime ministers choose members of parliament 7. Presidents have no guaranteed majority in the legislature; prime ministers…

    • 1528 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Parliament is designed to hold the executive accountable; therefore it goes about this by various means of government scrutiny, such as Prime Minister’s Question Time. In addition, Parliament is expected to perform a legislative function, creating the process of a bill becoming a law after undergoing many stages between the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Finally, Parliament is also required to be representative of the nation, with constituencies creating a strong local link between the electorate and their MP.…

    • 1529 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Government in the UK is a representative body elected for and by the people. The UK uses the parliamentary system as its model of representation; this means the different areas of government which are the legislative, judiciary and executive branches work in and through each other as opposed to the Presidential model which separates the powers. Westminster Parliament is the acting microcosm for the UK society; it is a small group of 365 MPs who are chosen to represent their constituencies. Each MP is given power through trusteeship when voted in, this meaning that they will try to carry out what is best for their constituency. They are also once voted in known as a mandate, the authority granted by a constituency to an MP to act as its representative.…

    • 1226 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    William E. Borah

    • 7031 Words
    • 29 Pages

    • Daniel Bertlinde, Le mot “Democracy” aux Etats-Unis, Publication de l 'Université de Saint Etienne, 1995…

    • 7031 Words
    • 29 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    III. Is Representative Democracy Best?A. For a representative democracy government to work their must be:i. A opportunity for genuine leadership competition1. individuals and parties be able to run for office2. free communication 3. voters perceive that meaningful choices existii. Guidelines for fair leadership campaigns.B. Framers of the constitution -i. Thought that representative democracy was best because -1. less chances of it offices being manipulated2. help prevent political offices being used for private gain3. reduce the need for constant pollsii. Set up government to protect -1. Civil rights of all people2. Minorities 3. From concentration placement of power. IV. How is Power Distributed in a Democracy?A. Elitei. Persons who possess…

    • 461 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    As stated in the text, what we have now in the United States is a "winner takes all" system. Switching to a Parliamentary system is highly unlikely since our founders chose a completely different path. With Congress only needing two-thirds of the vote to win, it allows elected officials the power to change or not change the law based on their interests and sometimes . In years where the majority of one party rules over another, in favor of certain agendas, it risks the important minority vote. Of course, the President has the power to veto.…

    • 752 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Today, the two most prominent forms of government are the Parliamentary form of government, often known as the Westminster system seen in the commonwealth nations; and the Presidential form of government seen in the United States. Throughout the years, many debates have been discussed over the question of which form is better; no definitive answer has ever come forward, for the exception that they are both quite different in theory and in practice. Principally, the difference among them is the separation power seen in the Presidential system, and the coexistence of power seen in the Parliamentary system; represented chiefly by party discipline. However, more than this difference alone separates the two. Both forms of government are characterized by how their power is distributed, how laws are created and chosen, party discipline and also the responsibility of each Head of State. Each system has its own dynamic and ever-changing functionality, creating advantages and disadvantages for each system.1…

    • 1624 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Madison's Dilemma

    • 923 Words
    • 4 Pages

    There are many systems of governments that can be classified into different types. Some of them being common amongst countries and some of them not so much. The two main organizations and/or alternatives that are most familiar are the presidential systems and the parliamentary systems. Various distinctions between these two types of systems can be distinguished. In a presidential system, the president is set apart from the legislative branch where as in the parliamentary system the chief executive (prime minister) is part of the legislative branch (the parliament).…

    • 923 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    ways when comparisons are drawn from two similarly strong western liberal democratic systems. They both enjoy the same fundamental principles of liberal democracy, with those living under this system enjoying the same rights and freedoms with comparable economic conditions. The real difference between these two systems lies in the division of power (). Parliamentarism has been defined as having the parliament as the only democratically legitimate institution is parliament, whereby the government’s authority is completely dependent upon parliamentary confidence. (). While argues that there are three conditions necessary to declare a system parliamentary: All major government decisions must be taken by people chosen in elections conducted along party lines. Policy must be decided within governing party (parties if coalition). The highest officials (ministers) must be selected within their parties and be responsible to the people through their parties. On the other hand, in presidential systems according to , an executive with considerable constitutional powers - generally including full control of the composition of the cabinet and administration - is directly for a fixed term. The president is also the symbolic Head of State.…

    • 928 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    The United States of America is an example of the presidential system. The presidential system has a strong and independent chief executive with extensive powers related to both domestic and internal affairs and foreign policy. The president independence from legislature is based on election by people to whom he or she is directly accountable. The legislative branch is made up of two houses of congress. The House of Representatives and the senate. The duty of the legislative branch is to make laws which are written discussed and voted on in the Congress. The senate approves the nominations made by the president to the cabinet, Supreme Court and other post. The executive branch of the US is responsible for enforcing laws; this facilitates responsibities of the federal government such as collecting taxes, safe guarding the homeland and representing the US political and economic interest worldwide. The power is vested in the president. The president is the head of the executive branch. The president is elected by the entire country every four years and is also the one that approves and carry out the laws made by the executive…

    • 1210 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    A representative democracy is advantageous compared to a direct democracy as elected MPs are of sufficient educational backgrounds and are more superior in knowledge at making the most effective decisions. Arguably the elected MPs are the reason that a representative democracy flourishes with the elected MPs superseding the knowledge of the public. However, it could be argued that MPs have the interest of toeing the party line, or even acting in their own interests rather than the constituent’s interests. Nevertheless, MPs are learned individuals who would make the correct decisions with the interests of their party, their constituency and themselves, effectively fulfilling the role of an MP.…

    • 648 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Asses the claim that proportional electoral systems are superior to majoritarian or plurality systems (50)…

    • 1552 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    There are two main types of political systems, one being a presidential system and the other being a parliamentary system. Both of them have their own benefits as well as their own disadvantages. No political system can be perfect or can always have stability, but shown in history there are successful countries that use either one. Also there are countries that have failed with one of the two systems.…

    • 1182 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Civilization on Trial

    • 444 Words
    • 2 Pages

    While the executive branch in the UK comprises Her Majesty's Government and the legislative is made up of the Parliament( the Queen, the House of Lords and the House of Commons), the U. S. constitutional system can be distinguished as follows. The President and his administration constitute the executive branch, and Congress(the House of Representatives and the Senate) is the legislative.In practice there is a difference in the relationship between the legislative and executive branches in Britain and the U.S.A. The British parliamentary system is based on the integration between these powers whereas the separation of powers is at the heart of the U.S. presidential system.…

    • 444 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays