Objective State the implications of presidential and parliamentary systems on democracy and the policy-making process. Prime Minister Gordon Brown President Barack Obama

Presidential vs. Parliamentary Systems of Government Presidential President elected by the citizens Parliamentary Prime Minister (PM) selected by the majority party in Parliament

Presidential vs. Parliamentary Presidential: Separation of Powers: Executive & Legislative President and Cabinet are not members of the legislature. Parliamentary: No separation between legislative and executive branches PM & Cabinet are MPs (members of Parliament) PM + Cabinet members + other senior MPs in the party = the “Government”

Presidential vs. Parliamentary Presidential: Pres. & Cabinet can’t be removed due to losing a majority in Congress. (only by impeachment) Nominees selected by primaries/caucuses Elections regularly scheduled Parliamentary: Govt. remains in office only if it retains support of majority in Parliament. Nominees selected by heads of party PM may call new Parliament elections at any time up to 5 years.

Presidential vs. Parliamentary Presidential: President has only bargaining leverage over Congressional votes. Members of Congress introduce bills. Bills change significantly in Congress. Both houses of Congress have significant power Parliamentary: PM has much leverage over MPs votes. PM/Cabinet introduce most bills. Bills are passed with few changes. 2 nd house of Parliament may have little power.

Checks & Balances Presidential: Intricate system of Checks & Balances –Judicial Review –Presidential veto –Congressional override of veto –Impeachment –Senate confirmation of treaties and Presidential appointees –Etc….. Parliamentary System: Fewer Checks & Balances –No Confidence vote –House of Lords may delay legislation for 1 year –Cabinet pressure on PM –Question Hour –Tradition & Reasonableness

PAIR-SHARE DISCUSSION Try to Predict Political Outcomes: Brainstorm on how the two systems might impact the policy-making process: –E.g. efficiency, coherence of legislation, effectiveness of the policy-making process, stability, decision- making in times of crisis, ability to make broad changes in policy, democratic representation of a country’s citizens, etc. –Any other factors you can think of….? Explain TWO Advantages and Disadvantages of each system.

Presidential System Advantages: Separation of Powers? No branch or individual too powerful More democratic? more interests represented; more compromise Disadvantages: Slow process Piecemeal Legislation Hard to create change / fulfill campaign promises

Parliamentary System Advantages: Efficient / Quick process Easy to create change / fulfill campaign promises More accountability to public? Coherent laws and policy Disadvantages: too much Concentration of power? Fewer interests represented Change too drastic when parties switch? Legislative process more symbolic

Brainstorm a Perfect System How would you design your ultimate system? Which aspects would you take from eiher system to create your ideal system? Or do you prefer a strict parliamentary or straight presidential system?