Which of the following are the advantages ofparliamentary democracy?1....
- Modern democratic governments are classified into parliamentary and presidential on the basis of nature of relations between the executive and the legislative organs of the government.
- The parliamentary system of government is one in which the executive is responsible to the legislature for its policies and acts. The presidential system of government, on the other hand, is one in which the executive is not responsible to the legislature for its policies and acts, and is constitutionally independent of the legislature in respect of its term of office.
- Advantages of the Parliamentary System
- Harmony Between Legislature and Executive
- The greatest advantage of the parliamentary system is that it ensures harmonious relationship and cooperation between the legislative and executive organs of the government. The executive is a part of the legislature and both are interdependent at work.
- Responsible Government
- By its very nature, the parliamentary system establishes a responsible government. The ministers are responsible to the Parliament for all their acts of omission and commission. The Parliament exercises control over the ministers through various devices like question hour, discussions, adjournment motion, no confidence motion.
- Ready Alternative Government
- In case the ruling party loses its majority, the Head of the State can invite the opposition party to form the government. This means an alternative government can be formed without fresh elections. Hence, Dr. Jennings says, ‘the leader of the opposition is the alternative prime minister’.
- Wide Representation
- In a parliamentary system, the executive consists of a group of individuals (i.e., ministers who are representatives of the people). Hence, it is possible to provide representation to all sections and regions in the government. The prime minister while selecting his ministers can take this factor into consideration.
- Prevents Despotism.
- Demerits of the parliamentary system
- Continuity of Policies
- The parliamentary system is not conducive to the formulation and implementation of long-term policies. This is due to the uncertainty of the tenure of the government. A change in the ruling party is usually followed by changes in the policies of the government.
- Unstable Government
- Dictatorship of the Cabinet
- Against strict separation of powers
- Government by Amateurs
- Hence option (c) is the correct answer.
Which of the following are the advantages ofparliamentary democracy?1....
Advantages of Parliamentary Democracy:
1. Responsible Government:
Under a parliamentary democracy, the government is responsible and accountable to the legislature. This means that the government is answerable to the people's representatives and can be held accountable for their actions and decisions. The executive is formed by the majority party or coalition in the legislature, ensuring that the government reflects the will of the people. This promotes transparency, efficiency, and responsiveness in governance.
2. Wide Representation:
Parliamentary democracy provides for wide representation of diverse interests and opinions. The legislature is composed of elected representatives from various political parties, allowing for the representation of different ideologies, regions, and communities. This inclusivity ensures that a broad range of voices and perspectives are considered in the decision-making process. It fosters a sense of participation and allows for the representation of minority groups, promoting pluralism and social integration.
3. Strict Separation of Powers:
In a parliamentary democracy, there is a clear separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches of government. The executive, led by the Prime Minister or Chief Executive, is accountable to the legislature and derives its authority from it. This ensures a system of checks and balances, preventing the concentration of power in a single individual or institution. The legislature can scrutinize the executive's actions, debate policy decisions, and hold the government accountable through mechanisms such as question time and parliamentary committees.
4. Harmony Between Legislature and Executive:
Parliamentary democracy encourages harmony and cooperation between the legislature and the executive. Since the executive is drawn from the majority party or coalition in the legislature, there is a shared policy agenda and a common vision for governance. This facilitates the smooth functioning of the government, as there is a higher likelihood of passing legislation and implementing policies. The executive can effectively implement its agenda, and the legislature can hold the government accountable without excessive gridlock or obstruction.
In conclusion, parliamentary democracy offers several advantages such as responsible government, wide representation, strict separation of powers, and harmony between the legislature and executive. These features contribute to effective governance, political stability, and the protection of individual rights and liberties.
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