Prime Minister or President Are some ways better than others? Prime Minister David Cameron President Barack Obama

Presidential vs. Parliamentary Systems of Government Presidential President elected by the citizens Removed through impeachment or elections Parliamentary Prime Minister (PM) selected by the majority party in Parliament

United States and the United Kingdom USA Written Constitution Prez= both Chief Manager and Head of State Prez=can check Congress Prez—signs bills into law (can veto bills) UK Unwritten Constitution Crown=mainly Head of State (and head of the Church of England) Crown=appoints the PM (by tradition, the appointee must command support in Parliament) "the Sovereign has, under a constitutional monarchy... three rights—the right to be consulted, the right to encourage, the right to warn.“ Crown—powers can be overridden by Parliament Crown—assents to bills (no “vetoes” since 1707

Visual Comparison

Presidential vs. Parliamentary Presidential: Separation of Powers: Executive & Legislative President and Cabinet are not members of the legislature. Parliamentary: No separation between legislative and executive branches PM & Cabinet are MPs (members of Parliament)

Presidential vs. Parliamentary Presidential: Pres. & Cabinet can only be removed by impeachment, and new elections Nominees selected by primaries/caucuses Elections regularly scheduled Does not need support in Congress to stay in power Cannot be fired for incompetence President government doesn’t change with new congressional elections Parliamentary: Govt. remains in office only if it retains support of majority in Parliament. Can be removed by Vote of No Confidence Nominees selected by heads of party PM may call new Parliament elections at any time up to 5 years. Needs support in House of Commons to stay in power Can be “fired” for incompetence PM’’s government can change with new legislative elecetions

Presidential vs. Parliamentary Presidential: President has only bargaining leverage over Congressional votes. Members of Congress introduce bills. Bills change significantly in Congress. Both houses of Congress have significant power Parliamentary: PM has much leverage over MPs votes. PM/Cabinet introduce most bills. Bills are passed with few changes. 2 nd house of Parliament may have little power.

Checks & Balances Presidential: Intricate system of Checks & Balances –Judicial Review –Presidential veto –Congressional override of veto –Impeachment –Senate confirmation of treaties and Presidential appointees –Etc….. Parliamentary System: Fewer Checks & Balances –No Confidence vote –House of Lords may delay legislation for 1 year –Cabinet pressure on PM –Question Hour –Tradition & Reasonableness

Presidential System Advantages: No branch or individual too powerful (due to separation of powers) More democratic? more interests represented; more compromise Disadvantages: Slow process Divided Government Piecemeal Legislation Hard to create change / fulfill campaign promises

Parliamentary System Advantages: Efficient / Quick process Easy to create change / fulfill campaign promises More accountability to public? Coherent laws and policy Disadvantages: too much concentration of power? Fewer interests represented Change too drastic when parties switch? Legislative process more symbolic