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Presidential and Parliamentary Presidential and Parliamentary SystemsSystems
Dr. Eric LangenbacherDr. Eric Langenbacher
February 24th, 2004February 24th, 2004
The ExecutiveThe Executive
Fundamental institutional choice between a Parliamentary and Presidential system
branches of government– Executive—branch of government that
proposes legislation—it initiates– Legislature—debates and passes laws– Judiciary—interprets laws– Bureaucracy—implements laws
Basic distinctionsBasic distinctions
1)Accountability/Reponsibility—executive directly accountable in Parl. system– In Presidential system, executive branch in
separately elected—no direct responsibility
2)Collegial v. appointed cabinets– Presidential systems based on separation on
powers; Parliamentary--fusion
Basic Distinctions (cont’d)Basic Distinctions (cont’d)
3) Term flexibility—fixed terms in Pres.; variable terms in parl. due to Prime Minister’s right of dissolution
4) Executive role differentiation—two roles—head of government and head of state—combined in Pres.; separate in Parl.
Advantages of Parliamentary Advantages of Parliamentary SystemsSystemsflexibilityclear lines of accountabilityclear majority ruleefficient, streamlined decision making
Advantages of Presidential SystemsAdvantages of Presidential Systems
decisive leadershipchecking/balancing of powernecessarily cumbersome legislative
proceduresstability, personalized leadershipease to pinpoint responsibility
Disadvantages of Parliamentary Disadvantages of Parliamentary SystemsSystems1) instability2) numerous, fragmented party system3) fusion of powers4) dangerous for young democracies
Disadvantages of Presidential Disadvantages of Presidential SystemSystem1) Inflexibility2) Effects on Party System3) zero-sum, majoritarian politics4) personalism, corruption5) dual legitimacy6) lack of role differentiation
ConclusionConclusion
Arguments against Presidential systems are more compelling
Negative characteristics of Parl. systems cannot be avoided—but institutional remedies exist
Almost impossible to rectify shortcomings of Pres. system within own logic