Parliamentary Government - Polity and Constitution, UPSC, IAS. Notes | Study Polity and Constitution (Prelims) by IAS Masters - UPSC

Features of Parliamentary govt

Features of the Presidential govt

• Nominal & Real executives: president is the nominal head while the PM is the real head

President is head of the state & Govt

• Majority party rule

President  rules with the help of his secretaries

• Collective responsibility: council of ministers is collectively responsible to Parliament

President not responsible to Legislature

• Dissolution of the Lower House by PM

President cannot dissolve the Lower House

• Secrecy: the ministers operate on the principle of secrecy of procedures

The executive, legislative & judicial powers are separated

Features of Parliamentary govt

Features of the Presidential govt

• Nominal & Real executives: president is the nominal head while the PM is the real head

President is head of the state & Govt

• Majority party rule

President  rules with the help of his secretaries

• Collective responsibility: council of ministers is collectively responsible to Parliament

President not responsible to Legislature

• Dissolution of the Lower House by PM

President cannot dissolve the Lower House

• Secrecy: the ministers operate on the principle of secrecy of procedures

The executive, legislative & judicial powers are separated

Demerits of the Parliamentary system 

Unstable government: it does not provide a stable govt . The ministers depend on the mercy of the majority legislators for their continuity and survival.

Against separation of powers: As the executive and legislature are together and inseparable the whole system goes against the theory of separation of powers.

Government by amateurs: the PM has a limited choice in the selection of ministers which is restricted to MPs alone and does not extend to external talent.

No continuity of policies: it is not conducive for the formulation and implementation of the long term policies. A change in ruling party is generally followed by a change in govt policies.