Comparing Democratic Systems

Gianna Rocca
A. How do the two systems of Democracy differ as far as branches
of government are concerned?
The three branches of government of a presidential democracy include: executive,
legislative, and judicial. Likewise, congress may pass laws, but the president can veto them; the
president nominates certain public officials, but Congress must approve the appointments; and
laws passed by Congress as well as executive actions are subject to judicial review.
In contrast, the legislature in a parliamentary system holds supreme power. The prime
minister is chosen by members of the legislature (Parliament) from among their own number and
in practice is the leader of the majority party in the legislature. The parliamentary system consists
of the monarch, the House of Commons, which is similar to Congress, and the House of Lords. A
parliamentary system also includes the cabinet members, which must also belong to the
legislature.

B. Regarding elections, how do the systems compare?

The systems compare by using a similar process when calling to question the candidate
running for office. For an example, parliamentary systems use a "vote of no confidence' where a
majority of parliament members vote to remove the Prime Minister from office. A new election
is then called. In presidential systems, a similar process is used where legislators vote to impeach
the President from office.

C. Do their leaders share similar terms in office? Explain in complete

sentence format.
Despite how the most striking difference between presidential and parliamentary systems is in
the election of the chief executive, the leaders do share similar terms in office in matters of their

functions. For an example, the President is both the chief executive and the head of state while in
parliamentary governments the head of state and the chief executive are two separate offices. In
addition, in both presidential and parliamentary systems, the chief executive can be removed from office
by the legislature.

D. What are the "advantages" of each system of government? [at least

two each]
Presidential System:
a. An advantage in a presidential system would be that the powers
invested in the President are usually balanced against those vested in the
legislature; therefore, citizens do not have to worry the President having the right
to automatically pursue an action or law that they are indifference with.
b. The American President's broadest powers rest in foreign affairs:
this can be an advantage because foreign policy is established as a systemic way
to deal with issues that may arise with other countries.

Parliamentary System:
c. The fusion of the legislative and executive branches in the
parliamentary system tends to lead to more discipline among political party
members, and having more discipline is an important feature in order to properly
and fairly regulate a government.
d. Party members in parliaments almost always vote strictly along
party lines unlike a presidential system.

E. Identify a disadvantage" of each system.

Parliamentary System:
A disadvantage for the parliamentary system is that the power exercised by Parliament is
unlimited, making it in fact the sovereign of the nation.

Presidential System:
A disadvantage for the presidential system is that Presidential systems are less disciplined and
legislators are free to vote their conscious with fewer repercussions from their party.