People and Politics Worldwide
Presidential
vs. Parliamentary Systems
Presidential
System
What we have
in the US
Our Founders
were suspicious of government power so sought to divide it through
institutional design of “the Three Branches”
What are the
Three Branches in the U.S. system??
Executive,
Legislative, Judiciary
Which one does
the president head???
The
Executive (consists of federal agencies, the Cabinet and the President)
How does this
differ from a parliamentary system???
In a
parliamentary system, Executive and Legislative power are fused in the persona
of the Prime Minister (also called the Premier, First Minister, or Chancellor
in other countries).
What do I
mean “fused”?
i.e. the
PM is the head of the Parliament (i.e. the legislative branch) to which she/he
has stood for election and the head of the Executive Branch. Together
with the other ministers in the Cabinet or council, they are the Government
(with a capital G). 
How is PM
selected?
elected
by lower house in Parliament (i.e. majority party leader usually wins)
How can
PM/Government lose office?
by
losing an election (which it calls/sets the timing of) or by a vote of
no-confidence
What are the
advantages of a Parliamentary system?
government
accountability
efficiency,
easier to make major policy changes
greater
party cohesion, discipline
The
disadvantages?
swings
in policy when government changes hands
high rates
of government turnover in highly proportional systems
What are the
advantages of a Presidential system?
President
can check legislative power
Executive
independence
President
as symbol of national unity
What are the
disadvantages of a Presidential system?
Less
accountability: the President can blame legislature, and vice versa
Inefficiency,
harder to make major policy changes if one branch opposes it
Promotes
candidate centered politics
Different relationships:
The President and Congress vs. The PM and Parliament
Which do you
prefer, a presidential or a parliamentary system, and why?
In the course,
we’ll used the UK (the Westminster model) as our example. Who is the UK’s PM?
What are his best skills and attributes as a political leader?
What are our
president’s best skills and attributes as a political leader? Would our president fare well in a parliamentary system? Why or
why not?