Parliamentary System VS Presidential System Essay

Parliamentary System VS Presidential System - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that democratic governments are those that permit the nation's citizens to manage their government either directly or through elected representatives. This is opposed to authoritarian governments that limit or prohibit the direct participation of its citizens. Different types of political systems prevailing in the current world. Broadly speaking, based on the nature of functioning the entire political systems in the world can be classified into tow; democratic systems and totalitarian systems. Communism in China and some of the autocratic Islamic administrations in countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE etc are examples of totalitarian administrations. On the other hand, in countries like America, Canada, UK, India etc; democratic administrations are functioning even though these administrations differ somewhat in its core areas of functioning. Since the fall of Soviet Union and the subsequent fall of communist regimes in Easter Europe, d emocracy is gaining prominence in world politics. Parliamentary system and presidential system are the two major categories under the democratic political system. Judiciary, Parliament and Executive are the three major pillars upon which a democratic political system works. The nature of functioning of these three pillars would be different in parliamentary and presidential political systems. Canada, India, etc are some of the countries in which parliamentary democracy prevails whereas in America presidential system of democracy is in operation.... There are many other differences between parliamentary system and presidential system. Canada, India, etc are some of the countries in which parliamentary democracy prevails whereas in America presidential system of democracy is in operation. This paper compares the parliamentary system and presidential system taking Canada and America as examples. Differences between parliamentary system and presidential system In a parliamentary system, government cannot function against the will of parliament. Both the prime minister and his cabinet are accountable to parliament. They cannot function independently or without seeking the opinion of the parliament, while taking decisions and formulating policies. All the governmental policies should be presented and discussed in the parliament comprehensively before the implementation stage. Governments in parliamentary system cannot implement any policies without the approval of the parliament. In most of the cases, parliament approves all the bill s presented since the ruling government have majority in the parliament. In short, prime minister and his/her cabinet are accountable to the parliament in parliamentary democracy. On the other hand in countries like America where presidential system prevails, president enjoys slightly more power over the parliament or congress. American president has the authority to veto any of the decisions taken by the Congress, even though in most of the cases, the president functions in line with the decisions taken by the Congress. Since countries like Canada, Australia, New Zealand etc were British colonies earlier; the governments in these countries are functioning slightly differently even though