Difference between Parliamentary and Presidential Form of Government
By BYJU'S Exam Prep
Updated on: November 14th, 2023
The difference between Parliamentary and Presidential form of government is that a parliamentary form of government is defined as a system in which a close relationship exists between the legislature and the executive. The leader of this form of government is the Prime Minister, the head of the ruling party. On the other hand, the presidential form of government is the one in which the President is the head of the state and government. Parliamentary and presidential form of government difference lies in how the separation of powers between the legislative, executive, and judiciary is done.
Difference between Parliamentary and Presidential Form of Government PDF
The presidential form of Government is more stable as there is no opposition pressure and no fear of losing power. Both Parliamentary and Presidential form of Government have their merits and demerits, which are discussed in detail below. In this article, the difference between Parliamentary and Presidential Form of Government is tabulated based on tenure, accountability, dissolution, ministers, etc.
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Difference Between Parliamentary and Presidential Forms of Government
The most important difference between Parliamentary and Presidential Forms of Government is that India follows the Parliamentary system which was taken from the British model of governance. In contrast, in the USA, the Presidential system is followed in which the supreme power lies with the President of the country.
Presidential and Parliamentary forms of government are important to be studied to understand the politics of India and the world.
Parliamentary vs Presidential Form of Government
| Parliamentary and Presidential Form of Government | ||
| Basis | Parliamentary Form of Government | Presidential Form of Government |
| Accountability | The executive is accountable to the legislature | The executive is not accountable to the legislature |
| Executive | Dual form | Singular form |
| Dissolution of the lower house | The Prime Minister can dissolve the lower house before the expiry of its term. | President cannot dissolve the lower house. |
| Ministers | Ministers are picked only from among the elected MPs, unlike the Presidential Form of Government, which is another important difference between the Parliamentary and Presidential Forms of Government. | People outside the legislature can be appointed. |
| Power Separation | It follows no precise separation of power. | It strictly follows the principle of power separation. |
| Tenure | Not fixed | Fixed |
| Party Discipline | Party discipline is stronger. | Less party discipline. |
| Examples | The United Kingdom and India | The United States and Costa Rica |
Parliamentary and Presidential Form of Government
The parliamentary form of government is a classification of democracy wherein the executive acquires political rightfulness by being accountable to the legislative. Conversely, the presidential form of government has only one executive system wherein the president is the executive leader and is autonomous of the legislature.
Parliamentary Form of Government
India adopted a Parliamentary system of government primarily because the English system had a significant effect on the constitution’s writers. The parliamentary model will only function to accommodate the diverse and numerous groups that make up our nation, as the founding fathers also understood.
- Additionally, the presidential system’s strong separation of powers would lead to confrontations between the legislative and executive departments, which our newly independent nation could not afford.
- There is a more parliamentary system of government than a presidential government around the globe.
- In this structure, the legislative normally has the final say, and the administration is answerable.
- It is also referred to as Responsible Governance and the Cabinet system of government.
Presidential Form of Government
A Presidential form of Government has a separate executive from the legislative one led by the head of state. In this situation, the head of the state and the government’s top officials are the same. The fact that the executive is not answerable to the legislative is another important element.
Here are some of the key characteristics of the Presidential form of Government:
- Legislative acts are subject to the executive’s (President’s) veto.
- A vote of no-confidence in the legislature cannot be used to oust the President because of his set term in office.
- In general, the President can commute or pardon criminal sentences.
- A direct popular vote or an electoral college is used to choose the president.
Conclusion:
Key Difference Between Parliamentary and Presidential Form of Government
The key difference between the parliamentary and presidential forms of government is that the parliamentary form of government is a democratic type in which the Government depends on a legislative majority to survive. In contrast, the presidential form of government is another democratic type that does not depend on the legislative majority to survive.
