Presidential and Parliamentary Systems

1
Presidential and Parliamentary Systems

• Dr. Eric Langenbacher
• February 24th, 2004

2
The Executive

• Fundamental institutional choice between a
  Parliamentary and Presidential system
• branches of government
• Executivebranch of government that proposes
  legislationit initiates
• Legislaturedebates and passes laws
• Judiciaryinterprets laws
• Bureaucracyimplements laws

3
Basic distinctions

• 1)Accountability/Reponsibilityexecutive directly
  accountable in Parl. system
• In Presidential system, executive branch in
  separately electedno direct responsibility
• 2)Collegial v. appointed cabinets
• Presidential systems based on separation on
  powers Parliamentary--fusion

4
Basic Distinctions (contd)

• 3) Term flexibilityfixed terms in Pres.
  variable terms in parl. due to Prime Ministers
  right of dissolution
• 4) Executive role differentiationtwo roleshead
  of government and head of statecombined in
  Pres. separate in Parl.

5
Advantages of Parliamentary Systems

• flexibility
• clear lines of accountability
• clear majority rule
• efficient, streamlined decision making

6
Advantages of Presidential Systems

• decisive leadership
• checking/balancing of power
• necessarily cumbersome legislative procedures
• stability, personalized leadership
• ease to pinpoint responsibility

7
Disadvantages of Parliamentary Systems

• 1) instability
• 2) numerous, fragmented party system
• 3) fusion of powers
• 4) dangerous for young democracies

8
Disadvantages of Presidential System

• 1) Inflexibility
• 2) Effects on Party System
• 3) zero-sum, majoritarian politics
• 4) personalism, corruption
• 5) dual legitimacy
• 6) lack of role differentiation

9
Conclusion

• Arguments against Presidential systems are more
  compelling
• Negative characteristics of Parl. systems cannot
  be avoidedbut institutional remedies exist
• Almost impossible to rectify shortcomings of
  Pres. system within own logic