This file contains material on the various forms of government. Prepared by PETER D.JOHNSON, UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA, SHAH ALAM, SELANGOR, MALAYSIA.

1. FEDERAL GOVERNMENTFEDERAL GOVERNMENT
CharacteristicsCharacteristics
• A federal state is a union (gabungan) of severalA federal state is a union (gabungan) of several
states or provinces. (Example: Malaysia, USA,states or provinces. (Example: Malaysia, USA,
India, Australia, Canada)India, Australia, Canada)
• There are two levels or sets of government : aThere are two levels or sets of government : a
central and several state governments.central and several state governments.
•Powers of the government are shared between thePowers of the government are shared between the
two sets of government.two sets of government.
•The central government has more powers than theThe central government has more powers than the
state governments.state governments.
•The powers of the two sets of government areThe powers of the two sets of government are
clearly spelt out in the constitution to avoidclearly spelt out in the constitution to avoid
disputes.disputes.
•There is an apex (superior) court to settle disputesThere is an apex (superior) court to settle disputes
(pertikaian) that may arise (timbul) between the(pertikaian) that may arise (timbul) between the
States and the central government.States and the central government.

2. UNITARY GOVERNMENTUNITARY GOVERNMENT
CharacteristicsCharacteristics
 A unitary government is one in which there is onlyA unitary government is one in which there is only
one set (level) of government. It is called theone set (level) of government. It is called the
national government. (Singapore, Unitednational government. (Singapore, United
Kingdom, Japan, New Zealand are examples of aKingdom, Japan, New Zealand are examples of a
unitary government)unitary government)
 All political power is in the hands of the nationalAll political power is in the hands of the national
government.government.
 The policies and laws of the government areThe policies and laws of the government are
uniform and apply to the whole country.uniform and apply to the whole country.

3. PARLIAMENTARY GOVERNMENTPARLIAMENTARY GOVERNMENT
Characteristics
• The political party that obtains most
seats in parliament during a general
election forms the government.
• The members of the Executive (Cabinet
members) are also members of the
Legislature. There is no separation of
powers between the Legislature and
the Executive.

4. Parliamentary Government -2Parliamentary Government -2
 There is always a dual (two) Executive- one is the headThere is always a dual (two) Executive- one is the head
of state and the other is the head of government.of state and the other is the head of government.
 The head of state is aThe head of state is a nominalnominal executive – he does notexecutive – he does not
exercise any real powers; he acts on the advice of theexercise any real powers; he acts on the advice of the
head of government.head of government.
 The head of government is theThe head of government is the realreal Executive. HeExecutive. He
exercises all powers of the government.exercises all powers of the government.

5. PRESIDENTIAL GOVERNMENTPRESIDENTIAL GOVERNMENT
CharacteristicsCharacteristics
• The head of state, known as theThe head of state, known as the
President, is elected by the people in aPresident, is elected by the people in a
separate election.separate election.
• The Executive and the Legislature areThe Executive and the Legislature are
separate. There is separation of powersseparate. There is separation of powers
between the two. This means that thebetween the two. This means that the
Executive is not part of the legislatureExecutive is not part of the legislature
and therefore is not responsible to it.and therefore is not responsible to it.

6. Presidential Government -2Presidential Government -2
 There is a single Executive- the President is both theThere is a single Executive- the President is both the
head of state and the head of government.head of state and the head of government.
 The President serves for a fixed period. For example, theThe President serves for a fixed period. For example, the
US president is elected for a period of four (4) years (oneUS president is elected for a period of four (4) years (one
term). He cannot serve for more than two terms (i.e. 8term). He cannot serve for more than two terms (i.e. 8
years).years).
 The President cannot be removed by the legislatureThe President cannot be removed by the legislature
(unless he commits a serious crime)(unless he commits a serious crime)
 The President cannot dissolve (membubarkan) theThe President cannot dissolve (membubarkan) the
legislature.legislature.
 Examples of Presidential government: USA; Argentina;Examples of Presidential government: USA; Argentina;
Nigeria; the Philippines; Mexico.Nigeria; the Philippines; Mexico.

7. Differences between Federal & UnitaryDifferences between Federal & Unitary
Government- 1Government- 1
 In a federal system of government, there areIn a federal system of government, there are
two sets of government (central or national andtwo sets of government (central or national and
several state governments) whereasseveral state governments) whereas
(sedangkan; manakala) in a unitary government(sedangkan; manakala) in a unitary government
there is only one set of government ( central orthere is only one set of government ( central or
national government).national government).
 In a federal government, political power isIn a federal government, political power is
shared between the central and stateshared between the central and state
governments, but in a unitary form ofgovernments, but in a unitary form of
government all political power is held (dipegang)government all political power is held (dipegang)
by the central or national government.by the central or national government.

8. Differences between Federal and UnitaryDifferences between Federal and Unitary
Government - 2Government - 2
 In a federal government, the constitution isIn a federal government, the constitution is
codified (written) whereas in a unitary governmentcodified (written) whereas in a unitary government
the constitution is uncodified (unwritten).the constitution is uncodified (unwritten).
 A federal government has a rigid constitution, butA federal government has a rigid constitution, but
a unitary government has a flexible constitution.a unitary government has a flexible constitution.
 In a federal form of government, there are twoIn a federal form of government, there are two
different types of laws- central government anddifferent types of laws- central government and
state government laws, whereas in a unitraystate government laws, whereas in a unitray
government there is only one set of laws (uniformgovernment there is only one set of laws (uniform
laws) (seragam) applicable to the whole country.laws) (seragam) applicable to the whole country.

9. Differences between ParliamentaryDifferences between Parliamentary
& Presidential Government-1& Presidential Government-1
 In parliamentary government, there are dual (two)In parliamentary government, there are dual (two)
Executives – head of state and head of governmentExecutives – head of state and head of government
whereas in a presidential government there is onlywhereas in a presidential government there is only
a single Executive-the President is both the heada single Executive-the President is both the head
of state and head of government.of state and head of government.
 The Executive is separate from the legislature in aThe Executive is separate from the legislature in a
presidential government, but in a parliamentarypresidential government, but in a parliamentary
government the Executive is part of thegovernment the Executive is part of the
legislature.legislature.

10. Differences between ParliamentaryDifferences between Parliamentary
& Presidential Government-2& Presidential Government-2
 In a parliamentary government the head of governmentIn a parliamentary government the head of government
(Prime Minister) is appointed by the head of state whereas(Prime Minister) is appointed by the head of state whereas
in a presidential government the head of state (President) isin a presidential government the head of state (President) is
elected by the people.elected by the people.
 The Prime Minister and his cabinet can be dismissed byThe Prime Minister and his cabinet can be dismissed by
the legislature if he loses its confidence, but the Presidentthe legislature if he loses its confidence, but the President
cannot be removed by the legislature unless he commits acannot be removed by the legislature unless he commits a
serious crime (by a process called ‘Impeachment.’)serious crime (by a process called ‘Impeachment.’)
 The Prime minister in a parliamentary government canThe Prime minister in a parliamentary government can
advise the head of state to dissolve (membubarkan)advise the head of state to dissolve (membubarkan)
parliament, but the President cannot do so.parliament, but the President cannot do so.