Parliament vs. President SS6CG1, SS6CG4, SS6CG6 The student will compare and contrast various forms of government. (c) Describe the two predominant forms of democratic governments: parliamentary and presidential.

Parliament vs. President Which is better?

There are two predominant forms of democratic governments: Parliamentary Presidential

The main difference between the Parliamentary and Presidential systems is the relationship between the executive (carries out the laws) and the legislative (makes the laws) branches of government.

Parliamentary * The legislature (Parliament) controls the power. * The majority party in the legislature forms a government headed by a prime minister, who is chosen by the legislature. * The prime minister and his cabinet are members of the legislature, he or she answers to the legislature (fusion of powers). fusion of powers = executive and legislative branches are mixed, share power

Parliamentary continued… * The government will stay in office for a specified period unless the prime minister loses support of the majority in the legislature on an important vote, if this happens the prime minister must resign and elections are held immediately. Prime Minister of the United Kingdom David Cameron

Parliamentary continued… Voters elect Parliament (Legislative) appoint Chosen by Majority Party Judicial Prime Minister

separation of powers = division of the branches of government Presidential * The executive and legislative branches are separate bodies elected independently by the citizens (separation of powers). separation of powers = division of the branches of government * There are checks and balances where each branch can overrule the other. Checks and balances = limits each branch’s power, keeps one branch from having too much power

Presidential continued… * The president answers to the voters, not to the legislature. * The people elect the president, and elections are held at set intervals. President of the United States of America Barack Obama

Separation of powers division of the branches of government Legislative Branch = establishes laws (U.S. Congress) Executive Branch = carries out, or enforces laws (U.S. President) Judicial Branch = makes decisions about disputes (U.S. Supreme Court)

Presidential continued… Voters elect elect Legislative Executive approve nominate Judicial