Preview

Parliamentary and Presidential Systems

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
3062 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Parliamentary and Presidential Systems
|political science 1000 |
|DIFFERENCES IN PARLIAMENT AND PRESIDENTIAL SYSTEMS OF GOVERNMENT |
|[Polticial Science 1000] |
| |
|Valentine n. Ogoke |
| |

Most states in the international system select either presidential or parliamentary systems of government. What are the similarities and difference of these approaches? Are there strengths and weakness that can be identified? Why are some states more likely to choose presidential, as opposed to parliamentary, systems of government?

Valentine Ogoke

Political Science 1000

INTRODUCTION

A nation’s choice of government defines how the nation’s executive, legislative and judicial branches are to be arranged. All nation –state require some sort of government to avoid lawlessness. Democratic governments are those that allow citizens of nations equal say in how their government are manages either directly or through elected representatives. Two of the most popular types of democratic governments are presidential and parliamentary systems. These two forms of government are completely different from authoritative types of government that stop or limit the direct participation of citizens. Yet which form of government organization is the best, what are their distinct

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Powerful Essays

    Currently, it is a raging matter on which form of government, representative or parliamentary, is best suited to solve a glove crisis such as the prevailing energy crisis or another gulf war. For instance, both governments may contemplate introducing speed limits on their highways of up to 53 mph because, of the worsening energy crisis. Interestingly, the two democracies have different methods of approaching any policy-making initiative owing to their differences in governance. Further, each democracy, representative (USA) or parliamentary (British), has its benefits and shortcomings. Despite this, the study argues that the U.S. representative democracy is best able to manage a global energy crisis between 2009-2011. The study is organized as follows: Section 1 compares the two forms of democracy. Section 2 is the case study.…

    • 1163 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    DBQ

    • 737 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The definition of democracy is “a form of government where the supreme power is vested within the people and exercised by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system.” The main principles of democracy include majority rule with minority rights, competing political parties, individual liberty, and free elections. These ideals have been the foundation of American democracy since the Declaration of Independence. However, other democracies value each ideal differently than the United States. This paper will evaluate whether or not the principles of democracy are reflected in the qualifications, election, and structure of the executive branch. It will argue that although liberty is represented in the qualifications of the executive branch, that free elections, and minority rule are not represented in the election and structure of the executive branch.…

    • 737 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Governments play a large part in our lives. We are so used to their role, that much of their influence goes unnoticed. Governments differ from country to country, but their influence remains. Canada is a democracy with a parliamentary system of government. The United States of America is also a democracy but with a presidential system of government. Canada's parliament consists of the Queen, the Senate and the House of Commons. In the Canadian parliamentary system the Prime Minister is the Head of Government and is also a member of the House of Commons. The Prime Minister is the leader of the winning party in the federal election. This person is appointed by the Governor General as the Prime Minister. Even though they are appointed, they are elected first. The American system of government is established by the United States Constitution, which provides for three separate but equal branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial. Together, these branches govern the country. In the American presidential system the President is the head of government and chief executive officer. Both Canada and the United States are representative democracies with a federal structure. I prefer The Canadian parliamentary system of government over the American Presidential system of government. The leader of a political party in the American presidential system of government may only be reelected once. The leader of the political party in the American presidential system of government is not a member of Congress (legislative branch). As well, Voters must wait for regular elections to unseat an unsatisfactory president or member of Congress. In this essay the three branches of government, elections in the United States and Canada, the Head of State, similarities and differences to both systems of governments and the strengths and weaknesses to both systems of government will be examined and explained in depth for a better understanding of both the Canadian Parliamentary…

    • 1969 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better 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

    The Parliamentary system in Great Britain and the Presidential system in the United States both have histories marked by an absence of abject failure, yet neither system can be considered truly perfect. Consequently, the analyst cannot conclude that either system is better; rather, he must recognize that there are merits and faults in both systems. The Parliamentary system tends to legislate efficiently, whereas a presidential system tends toward gridlock. However, the presidential system grants both elected representatives and citizens greater influence in government. The Parliamentary system tends to favor Prime Ministers who have much experience, whereas the Presidential system…

    • 707 Words
    • 3 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

    In order to be recognised as a new and independent country, such nation must be able to determine what system of government should be used. If the new country will choose the democratic form of government, there are two systems to be chosen. These include parliamentary and the presidential system. The main goal of this paper is to determine the pros and cons of parliamentary and presidential system in a new country.…

    • 928 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Democracy is arguably the most integral aspect of a functioning nation. Overtime, it has superseded the concept of power through divine right, thus allowing the general public to have a say regarding the laws of society. Throughout history, western democracy has evolved significantly from the time of the Greeks, to modern practice. Though it is still a relatively new concept, democracy has been strengthened by society's desire to push for their individual rights. By use of revolution, government reform and enlightenment philosophy, democracy was able to evolve into an inclusive form of government that gave equal choice to the greatest amount of people. Democracy is unique in the sense that unlike other forms of government, it requires the cooperative effort of both the…

    • 1741 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    ch 5 essentials

    • 898 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The authors argue that democracy is not a single set of institutions, but many types of democracy exist that have a different variety of institutions. Each form or type of democracy is the result of a country’s socioeconomic condition, state structure, and policy practice. Modern political democracy, they argue, is a system of governance in which rulers are held accountable for their actions by civil society. Each system of governance is differently democratic in a way that one system, the liberal conception, would advocate for circumscribing the…

    • 898 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Political Science Paper

    • 2048 Words
    • 6 Pages

    A parliamentary system is a system of governing in which there is a close interrelationship between the Prime Minister and the parliament (Mintz, Close, Croci 325). A presidential system is a system of governing in which the president and congress each separately derive their authority from being elected by the people, and has a fixed term of office (Mintz, Close, Croci 349). When dealing with the strengths of a parliamentary system, we must first consider responsible government. Responsible government is when the political executive is accountable to parliament for its actions and mist retain the support of the elected members to remain in office (Mintz, Close, Croci 325). Of course, in the presidential system, there is no form of responsible government. This to me is a weakness of presidential systems. There are three…

    • 2048 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    Democracy is a system of government in which a country’s political leaders are chosen by the people in regular, free, and fair elections. In a democracy, people have a choice between different candidates and parties who want the power to govern. The people can criticize and replace their elected leaders and representatives if they do not perform well. The people are sovereign—they are the highest authority—and government is based on the will of the people. Elected representatives at the national and local levels must listen to the people and be responsive to their needs.…

    • 1587 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    The American system of government is one that shares many characteristics of other democracies around the world. In fact, many modern countries have used the American system of government as a blueprint for their own. The three branches that make up the government, the legislative branch, the judicial branch, and the executive branch are features that can be found in one form or another in many different countries. The powers of each branch and the checks and balances that connect them are what gives the American form of democracy its character. One issue arises with the democratic concept of “by the people for the people”.…

    • 1152 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good 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
  • Powerful Essays

    a. this book will examine the workings of democratic government, evaluate the way that American government actually works compared to the standards of an "ideal" democracy, and continually ask the question "Who holds the power and who influences the policies adopted by government?"…

    • 2916 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Democracy first appeared in Ancient Greek civilisations, before being wiped out entirely and not returning to western civilisations only until approximately a hundred years ago. One definition given for democracy is a political system that allows the constituents and citizens of a country the right to fairly vote and contribute to the decision of which individuals are ruling and are the governing power. Not only that but also provides citizens protection from the state1. Another definition is given by Abraham Lincoln, in which democracy is viewed as being a "government of the people, for the people, by the people”2. Democracy is often seen as a Western invention, but has now spread across to countries all across the globe, and is seen as the most advanced and fair political ruling system to date. I will be assessing whether or not democracy is the best possible political system, where its faults lie and where it can improve.…

    • 1304 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays