Presidential form of government
There is only one executive in this form of government, which is the president. Hence it
is also called the single executive system. The president is the head/chief executive of
the state as well as the government and is chosen by the people directly.
The legislature is completely independent of the executive, in the presidential form of
government. The three organs of the government: the legislative, executive and the
judiciary are all independent of each other. The legislature is responsible for formulating
laws, the executive, headed by the president enforces those laws and the judiciary
carries out judicial tasks.
Some of the countries with a presidential form of government are the United States,
Brazil, South Korea, Turkey, the Philippines, Indonesia etc.
Parliamentary form of government
In this form of government there are two executives. The president is the nominal
executive and the head of the state. The role of the president is primarily ceremonial.
The prime minister is the real executive and the head of the government, who along
with the cabinet has the maximum powers. So, it is known as, the “cabinet form of
government”.
Since the parliament is directly responsible to the people, it is also called the
“responsible government.” The executive is responsible to the legislature. Hence, there
is no clear separation of powers as in the presidential form of government.
Some of the countries which have a parliamentary system of government are Germany,
Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, India, Portugal etc.
In the constitution of India, articles 74 and 75 provisions for a parliamentary form of
government at the union level, and articles 163 and 164 deal with provisions for the
same at the state level.
Parliamentary system vs presidential
system chart
Context Parliamentary form of government Presidential form of government
The form of government in which the The form of government in which all
Separation of executive is responsible to the organs of the government (legislature,
powers legislature, thus being dependent on executive and judiciary) are independent
it. of each other.
The people elect representatives of The president is directly elected by the
Election
the legislature. people.
It is a dual executive. The head of the
The head of the state and government is
Executive, state and government are different
the same, hence it is a single executive.
(president and prime minister)
are members of the parliament and Industry experts, outside of the legislature,
Ministers
are of the ruling party. can also be chosen as ministers.
Dissolution of
The President can dissolve the lower The president does not have the power to
the lower
house. dissolve the lower house.
house
Tenure of Prime Minister is not fixed
The tenure of
since it is dependent on the majority The tenure of the president is fixed.
the head
support in parliament.
Autocracy It is less autocratic. There are more chances of autocracy.
Advantages and disadvantages of
parliamentary form of government.
Advantages Disadvantages
Since the executive is responsible to the Due to anti-defection laws ministers and
legislature there is a cooperation between the legislators are subject to party whips and cannot
two. exert their willpower and ideas in decision
making
It is a responsible government since the people
directly elect their representatives and the The parliamentary system is less stable than a
legislature is responsible to the people. presidential system.
There is a check on authoritarianism. Politics of parties are present, as legislatures are
vested in self-interest, than national interest.
Advantages and disadvantages of
presidential form of government
Advantages Disadvantage
There is a distinct separation of powers but the It becomes impossible to remove a
executive and legislature watch over each other. president who is unpopular amongst
people.
The president is more stable, and so is the
government, as compared to the parliamentary form of When the president and legislature are
government. from different parties, it can result in
conflict.
Conclusion:
Although the parliamentary and presidential forms of government are both
democracies, there are some fundamental differences between them. Based on the
country’s unique needs and socio-political structure, the form of government is chosen.
Today, almost all the countries in the world have transitioned from monarchy to
democracy, and have either a presidential or a parliamentary form of government
