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 • Executive—branch of government that proposes legislation—it initiates • Legislature—debates and passes laws • Judiciary—interprets laws • Bureaucracy—implements laws

3. Basic 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

4. 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.

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 avoided—but institutional remedies exist • Almost impossible to rectify shortcomings of Pres. system within own logic