This document provides an overview of the key differences between presidential and parliamentary systems of government. Presidential systems have a separately elected president and legislature, while parliamentary systems fuse the executive and legislative branches. Hybrid systems combine aspects of both, such as France which has a strong president who appoints a prime minister from the legislature. Key differences include the president's independence from and ability to dissolve the legislature in presidential systems versus a prime minister who can be removed by a no-confidence vote in parliamentary systems. Party discipline also tends to be stronger in parliamentary systems where the government requires majority party support.

1. Presidential versusPresidential versus
Parliamentary SystemParliamentary System

2. General OutlineGeneral Outline
Frameworks of Presidential andFrameworks of Presidential and
Parliamentary systemsParliamentary systems
Examples with US, UK, France, etc.Examples with US, UK, France, etc.
Government Case Studies inGovernment Case Studies in
Development CountriesDevelopment Countries
Afghanistan and (soon to be?) IraqAfghanistan and (soon to be?) Iraq
Review of Academic DebateReview of Academic Debate

3. What are they?What are they?
Presidential governmentPresidential government
That’s usThat’s us
Parliamentary governmentParliamentary government
Those bloody britsThose bloody brits
Hybrid governmentHybrid government
And the weird french peopleAnd the weird french people

4. Presidential SystemPresidential System
 In aIn a presidential system,presidential system, the President is the big guy.the President is the big guy.
 The President, who is the chief executive as well as the symbolicThe President, who is the chief executive as well as the symbolic
head of government, is chosen by a separate election from thathead of government, is chosen by a separate election from that
of the legislature.of the legislature.
 The President then appoints his or her cabinet of ministers (orThe President then appoints his or her cabinet of ministers (or
"secretaries" in US parlance)."secretaries" in US parlance).
 Ministers/Secretaries usually are not simultaneouslyMinisters/Secretaries usually are not simultaneously
members of the legislature, although their appointmentmembers of the legislature, although their appointment
may require the advice and consent of the legislativemay require the advice and consent of the legislative
branch.branch.
 Because the senior officials of the executive branch areBecause the senior officials of the executive branch are
separately elected or appointed, the presidential political systemseparately elected or appointed, the presidential political system
is characterized by a separation of powers, wherein theis characterized by a separation of powers, wherein the
executive and legislative branches are independent of oneexecutive and legislative branches are independent of one
another.another.

5. Presidential systemPresidential system
 Presidents have great control over their cabinetPresidents have great control over their cabinet
appointees who serve at the President’s pleasure, andappointees who serve at the President’s pleasure, and
who are usually selected for reasons other than thewho are usually selected for reasons other than the
extent of their congressional support (as in parliamentaryextent of their congressional support (as in parliamentary
systems).systems).
 In general, the British Prime Minister is more constrained toIn general, the British Prime Minister is more constrained to
represent his/her parliamentary party in the Cabinet.represent his/her parliamentary party in the Cabinet.
 The U.S. represents the strongest form ofThe U.S. represents the strongest form of
presidentialism, in the sense that the powers of thepresidentialism, in the sense that the powers of the
executive and legislative branches are separate, andexecutive and legislative branches are separate, and
legislatures (national and state) often have significantlegislatures (national and state) often have significant
powers.powers.

6. Parliamentary systemParliamentary system
 ParliamentaryParliamentary systems, unlike presidentialsystems, unlike presidential
systems, are typified by a fusion of powerssystems, are typified by a fusion of powers
between the legislative and executive branches.between the legislative and executive branches.
 The Prime Minister is the chief executiveThe Prime Minister is the chief executive
 The Prime Minster may be elected to the legislature inThe Prime Minster may be elected to the legislature in
the same way that all other members are elected.the same way that all other members are elected.
 The Prime Minister is the leader of the party that winsThe Prime Minister is the leader of the party that wins
the majority of votes to the legislature (either de facto,the majority of votes to the legislature (either de facto,
or in some cases through an election held by theor in some cases through an election held by the
legislature).legislature).
 The Prime Minister appoints Cabinet Ministers.The Prime Minister appoints Cabinet Ministers.

7. Parliamentary systemParliamentary system
 However, unlike in the presidential systems, theseHowever, unlike in the presidential systems, these
members are typically themselves legislative membersmembers are typically themselves legislative members
from the ruling party or ruling coalition.from the ruling party or ruling coalition.
 Thus, in a parliamentary system, the constituency of theThus, in a parliamentary system, the constituency of the
executive and legislature are the same.executive and legislature are the same.
 If the ruling party is voted out of the legislature, theIf the ruling party is voted out of the legislature, the
executive also changes.executive also changes.
 Continued cooperation between the executive andContinued cooperation between the executive and
legislature is required for the government to survive andlegislature is required for the government to survive and
to be effective in carrying out its programs.to be effective in carrying out its programs.
 The UK represents the strongest form of parliamentarismThe UK represents the strongest form of parliamentarism
(sometimes referred to as the Westminister system).(sometimes referred to as the Westminister system).

8. Hybrid systemHybrid system
 The termThe term hybridhybrid generally refers to a systemgenerally refers to a system
with a separately elected President who shareswith a separately elected President who shares
executive power with the Prime Minister.executive power with the Prime Minister.
 The President usually has the constitutional power toThe President usually has the constitutional power to
select the Prime Minister.select the Prime Minister.
 If the constitution and/or political circumstances tendIf the constitution and/or political circumstances tend
to place the emphasis on the powers of the President,to place the emphasis on the powers of the President,
it is sometimes termed ait is sometimes termed a semi-presidentialsemi-presidential system.system.
 If, on the other hand, the Prime Minister and theIf, on the other hand, the Prime Minister and the
legislative leaders enjoy more power than thelegislative leaders enjoy more power than the
President does, it may be referred to as aPresident does, it may be referred to as a semi-semi-
parliamentaryparliamentary system.system.

9. Hybrid systemsHybrid systems
For political reasons, Presidents generallyFor political reasons, Presidents generally
appoint leaders of the ruling coalition toappoint leaders of the ruling coalition to
the post of Prime Minister, although theythe post of Prime Minister, although they
are not required to do so constitutionally.are not required to do so constitutionally.
 The Prime Minister may or may not be aThe Prime Minister may or may not be a
member of the President’s political party,member of the President’s political party,
depending upon what party or coalition ofdepending upon what party or coalition of
parties maintains the majority in theparties maintains the majority in the
legislature.legislature.

10. Hybrid SystemHybrid System
 The French system is the hybrid model most often citedThe French system is the hybrid model most often cited
as a semi-presidential system.as a semi-presidential system.
 In the French system, the President has broad powers.In the French system, the President has broad powers.
 For example, the President nominates the Prime Minister andFor example, the President nominates the Prime Minister and
selects his own cabinet, over which he presides. The President,selects his own cabinet, over which he presides. The President,
his cabinet and attending bureaucracy initiate and draft mosthis cabinet and attending bureaucracy initiate and draft most
legislation.legislation.
 The French President, like some others in hybridThe French President, like some others in hybrid
systems, has some areas where his power is wellsystems, has some areas where his power is well
defined, such as in the conduct of foreign affairs.defined, such as in the conduct of foreign affairs.
 The day to day running of the government is, however,The day to day running of the government is, however,
left to the Prime Minister and Cabinet.left to the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

11. Defining Difference: Removal ofDefining Difference: Removal of
OfficeOffice
A key difference between presidential andA key difference between presidential and
parliamentary systems lies in the power toparliamentary systems lies in the power to
remove a chief executive or to dissolve theremove a chief executive or to dissolve the
legislature.legislature.
In parliamentary systems, the chiefIn parliamentary systems, the chief
executive’s term of office is directly linkedexecutive’s term of office is directly linked
with that of the legislature, while inwith that of the legislature, while in
presidential systems the terms are notpresidential systems the terms are not
linked.linked.

12. Differences: Removal of OfficeDifferences: Removal of Office
 Separation of powers: in aSeparation of powers: in a presidential systempresidential system
presidents and members of the legislature are separatelypresidents and members of the legislature are separately
elected for a given length of time.elected for a given length of time.
 Presidents have no authority to remove members of thePresidents have no authority to remove members of the
legislature.legislature.
 Premature removal of either legislative members or thePremature removal of either legislative members or the
President can only be initiated by a vote in the lowerPresident can only be initiated by a vote in the lower
legislative chamber and under particular conditions.legislative chamber and under particular conditions.
 Thus, under normal circumstances, even if the politicalThus, under normal circumstances, even if the political
party that the President represents becomes a minority inparty that the President represents becomes a minority in
either or both houses of the legislature, the President willeither or both houses of the legislature, the President will
remain in his position for the full term for which he wasremain in his position for the full term for which he was
elected.elected.
We keep this in check also! Limit the terms!

13. More Differences:More Differences: Removal ofRemoval of
OfficeOffice
 In aIn a parliamentary systemparliamentary system , the Prime, the Prime
Minister can be removed from office in two ways.Minister can be removed from office in two ways.
 The first is through a ‘no-confidence’ motion, which isThe first is through a ‘no-confidence’ motion, which is
typically filed by the opposition or a coalition oftypically filed by the opposition or a coalition of
opposition parties.opposition parties.
 The no confidence motion calls for a vote in the legislature toThe no confidence motion calls for a vote in the legislature to
demonstrate that the legislature no longer has confidence indemonstrate that the legislature no longer has confidence in
the Prime Minister and his cabinet of Ministers.the Prime Minister and his cabinet of Ministers.
 If the vote passes by a majority, the Executive, including theIf the vote passes by a majority, the Executive, including the
Prime Minister, is forced to step down. Since the PrimePrime Minister, is forced to step down. Since the Prime
Minister and his cabinet of ministers are members of theMinister and his cabinet of ministers are members of the
legislature, this brings about new legislative elections. Thelegislature, this brings about new legislative elections. The
term of the Prime Minister, therefore, is generally linked toterm of the Prime Minister, therefore, is generally linked to
that of the rest of the legislature.that of the rest of the legislature.

14. Even More Differences: Removal ofEven More Differences: Removal of
OfficeOffice
However, the Prime Minister can beHowever, the Prime Minister can be
removed by his/her own party members, inremoved by his/her own party members, in
a setting outside of the legislature.a setting outside of the legislature.
For example, Prime Minister MargaretFor example, Prime Minister Margaret
Thatcher was removed by party vote andThatcher was removed by party vote and
replaced by John Major during thereplaced by John Major during the
Conservative Party caucus.Conservative Party caucus.
Such a removal, whereby the party decides toSuch a removal, whereby the party decides to
change its leader, does not force legislativechange its leader, does not force legislative
elections.elections.

15. Odd man out: crazy-assOdd man out: crazy-ass
FrenchiesFrenchies
 Unlike in a parliamentary system, the legislature inUnlike in a parliamentary system, the legislature in
France cannot force the resignation of the President.France cannot force the resignation of the President.
 Rather, the President may dissolve the parliament’sRather, the President may dissolve the parliament’s
Lower House, the National Assembly (but not the upperLower House, the National Assembly (but not the upper
house, Senate).house, Senate).
 Further, the President appoints, and can remove theFurther, the President appoints, and can remove the
Prime Minister, who is effectively the head of the cabinetPrime Minister, who is effectively the head of the cabinet
and legislature.and legislature.
 Similar to the parliamentary model, the NationalSimilar to the parliamentary model, the National
Assembly can also force the government (the PrimeAssembly can also force the government (the Prime
Minister and legislative leaders) to resign by passing aMinister and legislative leaders) to resign by passing a
motion of censure.motion of censure.

16. Odd man out: crazy-assOdd man out: crazy-ass
FrenchiesFrenchies
Thus, in the French model, while theThus, in the French model, while the
Prime Minister is vulnerable to removalPrime Minister is vulnerable to removal
from both the legislature and thefrom both the legislature and the
President, the President cannot bePresident, the President cannot be
removed prior to the end of his/herremoved prior to the end of his/her
electoral term.electoral term.

17. Important factors: party disciplineImportant factors: party discipline
 What is it?What is it?
 Party discipline, simply defined, refers to the practice ofParty discipline, simply defined, refers to the practice of
legislators voting with their parties.legislators voting with their parties.
 Typically stronger in parliamentary systems than inTypically stronger in parliamentary systems than in
presidentialpresidential
 the "executive" government requires majority party cohesivenessthe "executive" government requires majority party cohesiveness
for its own survival.for its own survival.
 In countries that are transitioning to a two or multipartyIn countries that are transitioning to a two or multiparty
system party discipline may be generally weak owing tosystem party discipline may be generally weak owing to
the fact that parties may be newer, lack a strong internalthe fact that parties may be newer, lack a strong internal
structure and constituent base and/or lack experience instructure and constituent base and/or lack experience in
operating in a multiparty legislature.operating in a multiparty legislature.

18. Party DisciplineParty Discipline
 The following are common attributes mentionedThe following are common attributes mentioned
by supporters of the two systems based on partyby supporters of the two systems based on party
discipline:discipline:
 Advantages of weaker party discipline inAdvantages of weaker party discipline in
presidential systems:presidential systems:
 Relations between individual members andRelations between individual members and
constituents tend to be stronger.constituents tend to be stronger.
 The President and individual members are directlyThe President and individual members are directly
accountable to the voters.accountable to the voters.
 In deeply divided societies, some theorists argue thatIn deeply divided societies, some theorists argue that
the parliamentary system can lead to one partythe parliamentary system can lead to one party
controlling the state and locking other ethnic orcontrolling the state and locking other ethnic or
regional groups out of power.regional groups out of power.

19. Party DisciplineParty Discipline
 Advantages of stronger party discipline inAdvantages of stronger party discipline in
parliamentary systems:parliamentary systems:
 Parties and stable party coalitions within parliamentParties and stable party coalitions within parliament
can be held accountable to the public based on theircan be held accountable to the public based on their
promotion of the party platform.promotion of the party platform.
 The chief executive can be made accountable toThe chief executive can be made accountable to
her/his party and the parliament as a whole by a voteher/his party and the parliament as a whole by a vote
of no confidence at any time.of no confidence at any time.
 Highly organized parties can act as a link betweenHighly organized parties can act as a link between
party leaders and constituents at local levels.party leaders and constituents at local levels.

20. Last Comparison: legislation – whoLast Comparison: legislation – who
formulates, initiates, and amends it?formulates, initiates, and amends it?
In parliamentary, presidential and hybridIn parliamentary, presidential and hybrid
systems, the legislature is a forum forsystems, the legislature is a forum for
discussion of political, economic anddiscussion of political, economic and
social issues and is required to legitimizesocial issues and is required to legitimize
new laws.new laws.
One of the major differences of theseOne of the major differences of these
systems lies in the legislature’s power (orsystems lies in the legislature’s power (or
lack thereof) to formulate and initiatelack thereof) to formulate and initiate
legislation.legislation.

21. Legislation and three systemsLegislation and three systems
 PresidentialPresidential
 Power to vetoPower to veto
 Executive can draft legislation but a member must introduce itExecutive can draft legislation but a member must introduce it
 ParliamentaryParliamentary
• The chief executive and his/her cabinet initiate any piece ofThe chief executive and his/her cabinet initiate any piece of
legislation affecting the budget or revenue.legislation affecting the budget or revenue.
• In the UK and other similar models, legislatures can only amendIn the UK and other similar models, legislatures can only amend
legislation on narrow, technical terms.legislation on narrow, technical terms.
 HybridHybrid
• Bills can be introduced by the individual members, the executiveBills can be introduced by the individual members, the executive
and the government (the Prime Minister and the cabinet).and the government (the Prime Minister and the cabinet).
• However, the introduction of executive initiated bills takesHowever, the introduction of executive initiated bills takes
precedence over member bills.precedence over member bills.
• The President can by-pass the legislature by taking a proposedThe President can by-pass the legislature by taking a proposed
bill directly to the public through a national referendum.bill directly to the public through a national referendum.

22. US Presidential UK – Westminster parliamentary French Hybrid
Who makes
up the
Executive
Branch?
Separately Elected President,
Cabinet nominated by the
President and confirmed by the
legislature
(Cabinet members cannot
simultaneously be members of
legislature, and vice-versa)
Prime Minister; PM and Cabinet
elected by the majority party in the
legislature The Cabinet, or
Ministers, are members of the
legislature. A
Hereditary Monarch is head of
state (mostly ceremonial).
Separately elected President with
strong powers chooses a Cabinet
and Prime Minister who presides
over the legislature. (The
President resides over the
Cabinet, who cannot be members
of the legislature.)
Can the
legislature
remove the
executive,
and vice-
versa?
Legislature cannot remove the
President, except under extreme
conditions, and the president
cannot dissolve the legislature.
The legislature dissolves the chief
executive and cabinet through a
vote of no confidence, forcing new
parliamentary elections.
The legislature cannot remove
the President, but can dissolve
parliament, removing the Prime
Minister and cabinet. The
President can dissolve the lower
house.
Bodies
involved in
the
legislative
process?
Upper House: Senate
Lower House: House
Govt. cabinet departments assist
in drafting bills, but most originate
via committees in legislature;
President can veto legislation,
which can be overridden by 2/3
vote of both houses.
Upper: House of
Lords
Lower: House of
Commons
The government (Prime Minister,
cabinet and bureaucracy)
Occasionally bills referred to select
committees for consultation.
Upper: Senate
Lower: National
Assembly
President; Prime Minister and
cabinet appointed by PM who sits
in the legislature (can be MPs).
Who
Initiates
Legislation?
Both Houses
Executive can draft legislation but
a member must introduce it.
Executive and Both Houses, but
MPs can’t introduce bills that affect
govt. spending or taxation. Can
only amend on technical grounds.
Executive-initiated bills take
precedence over member bills.
Executive and both Houses,
Appointed bodies, such as the
Economic and Social commission
make recommendations on
drafting legislation. MPs cannot
introduce any bill that raises or
reduces expenditures. Executive-
initiated bills take precedence
over member bills.