Four 4 differences between presidential and parliamentary system of government

Unlike the USA which follows a Presidential system, India follows a Parliamentary form of Government at both centres (under Articles 74 and 75) and state (under Articles 163 & 164).

The Parliamentary form of government is also known as a cabinet government, cabinet system, or responsible government. It is also termed a Prime Ministerial government where the head of political administration is the Prime Minister. Such a system of government is widely followed in Britain, Japan, Canada, India and other countries.

Learn more about this topic for the upcoming UPSC Examination. In this article on the difference between Presidential & Parliamentary Forms of Government, we shall discuss the differences between the two forms of government and a few other details.

Also, from the linked article, study Notes on Ordinance Making Power Of President & Governor in India Ordinance Making Power Of President & Governor in India from the linked article.

Table of Contents

Difference between Presidential & Parliamentary Forms of Government (UPSC Polity): Download PDF Here!

Parliamentary form of government

• India is a parliamentary democracy, with the Prime Minister presiding over the government. In this type of parliamentary democracy, the President of the country is the official head of state but only has ceremonial powers.
• A democratically elected parliamentary government is a style of government in which real executive authority is vested in a cabinet comprised of members of the legislature who are individually and collectively responsible to the legislature.
• In a parliamentary system, the legislature holds the executive responsible for the laws and regulations it passes.
• At both the national and state levels, parliamentary government is established under the Indian Constitution.
  The parliamentary system of government in the Union is outlined in Articles 74 and 75.
• The state’s parliamentary system of government is outlined in Articles 163 and 164.
• Other names for the parliamentary form of government include the Westminster model, cabinet government, and responsible governance.
• Its founding principles are transparency, democratic participation, and open discourse.
• In 1935, the Government of India adopted India’s legislative structure as the Parliamentary Form of Government.
• According to Article 75, collective responsibility is the foundation and heart of parliamentary democracy.

Study the Types Of Majority In The Indian Parliament here.

Presidential form of government

• A presidential system is a form of administration in which the head of government is also the head of state and heads a distinct executive branch from the legislative branch.
• The presidential system is used in the United States, for example.
  The presidential system of government has the following advantages:
  • The system allows a strong president to achieve all his objectives.
  • The operation of the principles of separation of powers and checks and balances allows branches of government to act as checks on one another thereby preventing abuse of power.
• Only the executive is both the real and the nominal head of the government there.
• The President is the head of state and government in nations like the USA, South Korea, and others.
• According to the provisions of the Presidential form of Government, the executive is not answerable to the legislative for its policies or acts throughout its tenure in office.
• A member of the Constituent Assembly named T. Shah backed the Indian Presidential System.
• But, India went ahead with the Parliamentary System of Government.

Difference Between Presidential and Parliamentary Forms of Government

Have a look at the table below where the comparison of both the forms of Government is given based on various factors.

Basis of Comparison Parliamentary form of government presidential presidentialPresidential form of governmentExecutiveDual executives for state and centre.Single executive.Dissolution of the lower houseThe lower house can be dissolvedThe lower house cannot be dissolvedAccountabilityThe executive is accountable to the Legislature.The executive is not accountable to the Legislature.MinistersMinisters are members of Parliament.Ministers are not necessarily members of Parliament.TenureIt is not fixed as it depends on the support of the majority.The tenure is fixed.Separation of powersThe Powers and roles of the executive and legislature overlap.There is a clear separation of power between the executive, legislature and judiciary.AutocracyLess autocratic.More autocratic.Role of the CabinetCabinet is a crucial instrument that serves as a liaison between the executive and the legislative. The Cabinet is also responsible for developing policies and making critical decisions about the country’s governance.The Cabinet is only an advisory body in the Presidential form of government.

It advises and assists the President in making critical decisions when necessary.

Learn about the Pardoning Power of The President here.

Demerits of the Presidential System

In the table, some demerits of the Presidential system have been given.

DemeritsDescriptionAutocratic in natureThe head takes all decisions which give power to one hand only.Less accountableThe executive is not accountable to the Legislature for its actions.Exclusion of powers theThe separation of powers may result in more disagreement in certain matters.

Conclusion

• India’s political unpredictability is caused by several elements, many of which have nothing to do with the country’s political system.
• It is frequently stated that India’s political culture, not its parliamentary system, is to blame for its troubles.
• Elections are more frequently governed by casteism, communalism, and other outmoded standards than by educated decisions based on the demands and requirements of the general populace.
• The main reasons, not the type of government, are public priorities that are poorly set and governmental corruption.
• Changes in popular political culture and a fundamental shift in the political elite class are required instead of changing the system of government.

Check out the Veto Power of President here.

We hope that all your doubts regarding the Difference between Presidential and Parliamentary Forms of Government will be cleared after going through this article. You can download the Testbook App now to check out various other topics relevant to the UPSC IAS Exam.

FAQs on Difference Between Presidential and Parliamentary Forms of Government:

Q.1 What is the difference between the Presidential & the Parliamentary forms of government in terms of the form of Executive?

Ans.1 In the case of the Parliamentary form of Government, Dual Executive exists for the centre & the states. While in the Presidential form of Government, only a single executive exists for both centre & the states.

Q.2 What is the difference between the Presidential & the Parliamentary forms of government in terms of the dissolution of the lower house?

Ans.2 In the case of the Parliamentary form of Government, the lower house can be dissolved, while it cannot be dissolved in the Presidential form of Government.

Q.3 What is the difference between the Presidential & the Parliamentary forms of government in terms of the accountability of the Executive to the Legislature?

Ans.3 In the case of the Parliamentary form of Government, the Executive is accountable to the Legislature. While the Executive is not accountable to the Legislature in a Presidential form of Government.

Q.4 What is the difference between the Presidential & the Parliamentary forms of government in terms of the membership of the ministers?

Ans.4 In the case of the Parliamentary form of Government, Ministers are members of Parliament. While the Ministers are not necessarily members of Parliament in the case of the Presidential form of Government.

Q.5 What is the difference between the Presidential & the Parliamentary forms of government in terms of the tenure of the Government?

Ans.5 In the case of the Parliamentary form of Government, the tenure is not fixed as it depends on the support of the majority. While the tenure is fixed in the case of a Presidential form of Government.

Q.6 What is the Presidential Form of Government?

Ans.6   A presidential system is a kind of government in which the president is in charge of an executive branch that is separate from the legislative branch.

Q.7 What is Parliamentary democracy?

Ans.7 Parliamentary democracy is a system in which People who want to make laws are elected to a parliament.

What are the differences between parliamentary and presidential systems of government?

What is the difference between a presidential and parliamentary government quizlet?

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