Presidential and Parliamentary Systems Dr. Eric Langenbacher February 24th, 2004

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

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

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 Systems flexibility clear lines of accountability clear majority rule efficient, streamlined decision making

Advantages of Presidential Systems decisive leadership checking/balancing of power necessarily cumbersome legislative procedures stability, personalized leadership ease to pinpoint responsibility

Disadvantages of Parliamentary Systems 1) instability 2) numerous, fragmented party system 3) fusion of powers 4) dangerous for young democracies

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

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