Ryan Dempsey

Block 2

Comparing Democratic Systems

1. Do the two systems of Democracy differ as far as branches of government are
concerned?

The U.S Presidential form of Democracy has 3 branches of

government the Judicial, Legislative, and Executive. Whereas
Parliamentary has 2 branches of government the head of state
and the chief executive.
2. Regarding elections, how do the systems compare?
The most striking difference between presidential and
parliamentary systems is in the election of the chief executive.
In parliament systems, the chief executive is not chosen by the
people but by the legislature. Typically the majority party in
the parliament chooses the chief executive, known as the
Prime Minister. However, in some parliaments there are so
many parties represented that none hold a majority.
Parliament members must decide among themselves whom to
elect as Prime Minister. The fusion of the legislative and
executive branches in the parliamentary system tends to lead
to more discipline among political party members. Party
members in parliaments almost always vote strictly along
party lines. Presidential systems, on the contrary, are less
disciplined and legislators are free to vote their conscious with
fewer repercussions from their party.
3. Do their leaders share similar terms in office? Explain in complete sentence format.
In the United States we have an election every 4 years with a
maximum of two terms. Compared to the parliamentary, which
is at least once every 2 years. There is no term limit to the
position for the British.
4. What are the "advantages" of each system of government? [at least two each]
Presidential democracy has a checks/balance which allows for
the separation of the power. Also it is only for 4 years and
he/she can be voted out after 4 years if the people dont agree
with their policy. Parliamentary democracy has a prime
minister that appears before the House of Commons every
week and most answer questions provided by their parliament.
The prime minister is a member of parliament and is
accountable to it and is on the same Level.
5. Identify a disadvantage" of each system.
A disadvantage to our system is that its very slow because they refuse to
compromise.

TASK B:
1.) How many branches does the Presidential form of Democracy have?
A.1
B.2
C.3
D.4
2.) In the United States they have an election every ___ years?
A.2
B.4
C.5
D.6
3.) How many terms is a president allowed to serve in the United
States?
A.3
B.2
C.5
D.4
4.) What is the Prime Minister a member of?
A. Parliament
B. Presidential
C. Democracy
D. Legislature
5.) What are the 3 branches of government in presidential form of
Democracy?
6.) What is a disadvantage of each system?
7.) what is the difference between presidential and Parliamentary?
8.) What is the term limit for the British?
9.) In Parliament system who chooses the Chief Executive?
10.) Parliament has __ branches of government the ______ ___ ______
and ________ __________.