Political Science

The Presidential v. The Parliamentary System

Key Ideas

--presidential v. parliamentary

--separation of powers

--"no confidence"

--constitutional monarchy

--"hybrid" systems

--"Question Time"

If you are out to start a country based on democratic principles, you essentially have two choices, the “presidential” model and the “parliamentary model.” The presidential model, sometimes called a “congressional system,” was invented in the U.S. in 1787, when the new constitution was written. The Founders chose not to imitate the parliamentary model--then still emerging in England--probably because it was too closely associated with the monarchy. Perhaps they also wanted to insure that the new country be guided by a strong chief executive and they weren’t sure they could get that out of a parliamentary system. 

Other than in the U.S., other models of the presidential system are found in most South American countries and a few African countries. More prevalent are parliamentary systems. One notable reason for the proliferation of the parliamentary model is the legacy of the British empire, many of whose former colonies still remain a part of the British commonwealth.

The most conspicuous difference between the two choices lies in the concept of separation of powers that characterizes the American system. In a presidential system, the executive and legislative branches are completely separate; in a parliamentary system the executive--the prime minister--is also a member of the legislative branch.

In presidential systems, elections are held according to a strict schedule; in a parliamentary system, they may be called at any time, and either the party in power or the party out of power can initiate a call for elections, though it is harder for the opposition party to do so because it must first win a “no confidence” system.

Examples of parliamentary systems, other than the countries of the United Kingdom, include Canada, Australia, the Scandinavian countries, Germany, Spain and Italy.

France and Finland are “hybrid” systems of government, that is they combine features of both the presidential and parliamentary models. France has a president and a prime minister; so does Russia. In both cases, the president tends to tend to foreign policy, the prime minister spends more of his time with domestic policy.

A parliamentary system, sometimes called a “cabinet government” may also be a constitutional monarchy. (see the module “Constitutional Monarchies.”) A constitutional monarchy retains the king or queen in the role of head of state, but their power is almost exclusively ceremonial.

Historically, at least in England’s parliamentary system, the judicial system is not separate from the other institutions of government as in the U.S. Rather, the “highest court” in England is housed in the upper house of parliament, the House of Lords. This, however, is undergoing change since beginning in 2009, England established a separate Supreme Court. (It should be noted that Wales and Northern Ireland, have followed a different institutional route in the development of their judicial system).

What are the respective strengths and weaknesses of the two systems? A parliamentary system of government, precisely because it combines the executive and legislative functions in one branch of government, typically displays less “gridlock.” A presidential system, on the other hand, may be more stable at times than a parliamentary system, especially if the parliamentary system is a multi-party system.

One of the attractive features of the British system is “Question Time,” when the Prime Minister and his cabinet must face the Leader of the Opposition and his Shadow Cabinet for a period of grueling question and answer. HERE  is one compilation of notable moments during Question Time. And HERE and HERE are two clips featuring England's "Iron Lady," Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (1979-1990), brilliantly portrayed by Meryl Streep in the movie of the same name. The trailer for the movie is HERE.

Answer the following questions:

1. List and explain the differences between the two models.

2. Separation of Power in Presidential system tends to lead to more gridlock. Explain.

3. Would it be a good idea, in your opinion, to use the British style “Question Time “in our Congress?