An American parliamentary system could help address issues like low voter turnout, expensive campaigns, and lack of political accountability. However, transitioning to such a system would be difficult due to the constitutionally defined separation of the head of state and head of government in the U.S. presidential system. While a parliamentary system could produce two executive offices rather than one, Americans value individualism which is reflected in their single-member electoral districts. Overall, a parliamentary system may better engage voters but significant reforms would be needed to adopt this approach.

2. The audience will be able to:
 Define the Parliamentary form of Government.
 Differentiate the Head of the State and Head of the Government.
 To assess one, two, and multi-party systems of the Government.
 Enumerate the cases for a multi-party U.S. parliament.

3. I. Introduction
II. Parliamentary System of the Government
III. Head of the State vs Head of the Government
IV. One-party vs. Two-party vs. Multi-party Systems
V. Two Political Parties in United States
VI. Cases for a Multi-Party U.S. Parliament
I. Impeachment: Head of the State vs. Head of the Government
II. Political Accountability: Divided Government & “Safe Seats”
III. Permanent and Expensive Campaigns
IV. Low Voter Turnout?
VII.Conclusion
VIII.References

5. There is a considerable disconnect between the American people and their current government.
Christopher S. Allen points out several problems the American political system faces. These problems
include: low voting rates, outrageous campaigning costs, and the decline in accountability. Allen suggests the
answer to such problems is a plural party parliament in America. Moreover, Allen lists four issues which exist
in the American Presidential/majority form of government.
The first issue deals with impeachment. In the presidential system there is no distinction between head of
state and head of government because the title is held by one person (the President of the United States). As a
result when scandal breaks out a president may use one title as opposed to the other to protect from scrutiny
(i.e. possible impeachment). And this would be followed by certain major aspects that would be tackle after
this slide.

6.  A system of democratic governance of a state in which the executive branch derives
its democratic legitimacy from, and is held accountable to, the legislature
(parliament); the executive and legislative branches are thus interconnected.

7. Head of the State Head of the Government
The most powerful person in government hierarchy
of command and power.
Head of government denotes the second highest
official person in the government hierarchy after head
of state.
Represents the whole state. Represents a specific province or in some cases is
considered as the second or vice head of state.
Either he is president or prime minister enjoys more
power and authorities.
Enjoys lesser power and authorities.
Can be head of government as well as in case of
kingdom and dictatorial government.
Lies below the head of state in case of public
government.

8. One-party
System
Multi-party
System
Two-party
System

12. Low Voter Turnout?
Permanent and Expensive
Campaigns
 Political Accountability:
Divided Government & “Safe
Seats”
 Impeachment: Head of State vs
Head of Government.

13.  The portrayal of the Clinton
impeachment and trial is
characterized as historic.
 Fusion of functions.

14.  Prime Ministers, unlike US
presidents, are seen much more
as active politicians and not
remote inaccessible figures.
 A parliamentary system with a
separate head of the state and
head of gov’t would produce
two “ executive” offices instead
of just one.

15.  Safe Seats. Divided Government.
 Fundamental change in the
relationship between the
Presidents and Congress.

18. Voter Contentment.Voter discouragement.
The role of Television.
Registration
requirements.

19. Parliamentary government is a democratic form of government in which the political party that wins the
most seats in the legislature or parliament during the federal election forms the government. This majority
party chooses a leader to be the Prime Minister or Chancellor, and other high-ranking members of the party
make up the cabinet. The minority party forms the opposition, and its job is to challenge the majority party. If
no party is able to win a majority in the election, a coalition government will be formed with a few political
parties cooperating together.
An American parliamentary system could be a great way to fix dire issues in this country. However, the
idea of an American Parliament will not sound good to some Americans. It would be difficult to reform the
head of government and head of state as well as government division. Reason being, the basis of head of
state, head of government, and divided government are related to the constitution. Furthermore, individualism
is embedded in American culture. In particular, single member districts represent a form of individualism
which Americans hold dear to themselves.

20. BOOK:
Yap, F., 2010. The Case for a Multi-party U.S. Parliament?. McGraw Hill: USA.
WEBSITES:
http://www.hank-edmondson.com/compgov/mccready-29.html
https://www.google.com.ph/?gfe_rd=cr&ei=BuzvVpKSB5qT9QX3mqTQDA&gws_rd=ssl#q=definition+of+
parliamentary+system+of+government
http://study.com/academy/lesson/parliamentary-government-definition-examples-advantages-
disadvantages.html
http://www.differencebtw.com/difference-between-head-of-state-and-head-of-government/
http://www.enotes.com/homework-help/multiparty-systems-necessarily-more-161739
http://study.com/academy/lesson/two-party-multi-party-systems-similarities-differences.html
http://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-multiparty-system-239639
https://www.google.com.ph/?gfe_rd=cr&ei=j_XvVuzrM9bC0ATB6YGADA&gws_rd=ssl#q=example+of+m
ulti+party+system