Contrast of the Presidential and Parliamentary Systems
Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
- Textbook: Chapter 7, 8
- Lesson
- Minimum of 1 scholarly source (in addition to the textbook)
Initial Post Instructions
Discuss the differences and similarities between the presidential and parliamentary systems, including the executive and legislative branches. Which system do you feel serves its citizen better? Why? Use evidence (cite sources) to support your response from assigned readings or online lessons, and at least one outside scholarly source.
Follow-Up Post Instructions
Respond to at least two peers or one peer and the instructor. Further the dialogue by providing more information and clarification. Minimum of 1 scholarly source which can include your textbook or assigned readings or may be from your additional scholarly research.
Writing Requirements
- Minimum of 3 posts (1 initial & 2 follow-up)
- Minimum of 2 sources cited (assigned readings/online lessons and an outside scholarly source)
- APA format for in-text citations and list of references
Answer 1:
Hi All,
Both the presidential and parliamentary are popular types of democratic governments (The Borgen Project, 2019). Dissimilarities between the parliamentary system and the presidential system include: the parliamentary system makes up the legislative branch of government. The head of government is the Prime Minister who has no time limit on how long they can stay in office and is elected by parliament members and can only be removed by the parliament. Citizens vote for members of the parliament (The Borgen Project, 2019). Whereas the presidential system has an executive branch that only includes the president and is elected by citizens for a max of 2 terms, The presidential system is autonomous of the legislative branch, and the president can be impeached at any time (The Borgen Project, 2019).
In the Parliamentary system, the legislative branch is either unicameral or bicameral. Many governments prefer a two-house legislative branch to avoid total power in one body and ensure the federal government can be held accountable for its actions (Whitman Cobb, W. N., 2020). The Prime Minister writes laws together with the legislature. In presidential systems, the legislative branch writes laws for a president to approve. Though the president may suggest laws, it is ultimately the legislative branch that will write them (Whitman Cobb, W. N., 2020).
Is one system better than the other? Both government systems have strengths in different areas. Despite all the differences between the parliamentary system and the presidential system, it is ultimately the citizens who hold the power through the voting process (The Borgen Project, 2019).
The Borgen Project. 2019. The Parliamentary System Versus the Presidential System. (Links to an external site.)Retrieved from https://borgenproject.org/parliamentary-system-versus-presidential-system/
Whitman Cobb, W. N. (2020). Political science today (1st ed.). Washington, DC: Sage, CQ Press.