Parliamentary System
A parliamentary system is a system of government in which the executive branch derives its legitimacy from the legislature, and is accountable to that body. The head of state is usually a monarch or president who is a largely ceremonial figure, while the head of government is the prime minister, who is the leader of the party or coalition that has the most seats in the legislature.
Parliamentary systems are often contrasted with presidential systems, in which the executive branch is separate from the legislature and the president is not accountable to the legislature.
There are a number of advantages to parliamentary systems. First, they tend to be more stable than presidential systems. This is because the prime minister and the cabinet are drawn from the majority party in the legislature, and they can be removed from office if they lose the confidence of the legislature. This means that there is less chance of gridlock or political instability.
Second, parliamentary systems are often more efficient than presidential systems. This is because the prime minister and the cabinet are able to make decisions quickly and without having to go through a lengthy legislative process.
Third, parliamentary systems are often more responsive to the needs of the people. This is because the prime minister and the cabinet are directly accountable to the legislature, which is elected by the people.
However, there are also a number of disadvantages to parliamentary systems. First, they can be less democratic than presidential systems. This is because the prime minister and the cabinet are not directly elected by the people, but rather by the legislature.
Second, parliamentary systems can be more susceptible to corruption. This is because the prime minister and the cabinet are often drawn from the same party, and there is a risk that they may use their power to enrich themselves or their friends.
Third, parliamentary systems can be less stable than presidential systems. This is because the prime minister and the cabinet can be removed from office if they lose the confidence of the legislature, which can lead to a period of instability as a new government is formed.
In conclusion, parliamentary systems have both advantages and disadvantages. They are often more stable and efficient than presidential systems, but they can also be less democratic and susceptible to corruption.
Demerits of Parliamentary System
There are a number of demerits of parliamentary system. Some of the most common demerits include:
- Instability: Parliamentary systems are often unstable, as the government can be easily toppled by a vote of no confidence. This can lead to a period of political instability, as new governments are formed and old ones are dissolved.
- Lack of accountability: In a parliamentary system, the prime minister and cabinet are not directly accountable to the people. They are only accountable to the legislature, which can be dominated by a single party. This can lead to a lack of accountability, as the government may not be responsive to the needs of the people.
- Weak executive: The executive branch in a parliamentary system is often weak, as the prime minister and cabinet are dependent on the support of the legislature. This can make it difficult for the government to take action, as it may not have the support of the majority of the legislature.
- Domination by a single party: In a parliamentary system, it is often the case that a single party has a majority in the legislature. This can lead to a situation where the government is dominated by a single party, which can stifle dissent and make it difficult for the opposition to hold the government to account.
- Coalition governments: In a parliamentary system, it is often the case that no single party has a majority in the legislature. This can lead to the formation of a coalition government, which is a government made up of two or more parties. Coalition governments can be unstable, as the parties in the coalition may have different policies and priorities.
- Weak opposition: In a parliamentary system, the opposition is often weak, as it is not directly accountable to the people. The opposition is only accountable to the legislature, which can be dominated by the ruling party. This can make it difficult for the opposition to hold the government to account.
In conclusion, there are a number of demerits of parliamentary system. These demerits include instability, lack of accountability, weak executive, domination by a single party, coalition governments, and weak opposition.