What is the main difference between a parliamentary democracy and a presidential democracy?

A representative democracy can be divided into Parliamentary and Presidential democracy. A presidential system, also known as a single executive system, is a form of government in which the president heads an executive branch that is independent of the legislative branch whereas a parliamentary system, often known as parliamentary democracy, is a form of democratic administration in which the executive gains political legitimacy by commanding the support of the legislative, usually a parliament, to whom it is accountable. In this article, we will discuss the difference between both these types of representative governments.

Presidential Form of Government

Presidential Form of Government?

• A presidential system is a form of government in which the President serves as the Chief Executive and is chosen by the people directly.
• As a result, the executive branch of government is distinct from the legislative branch. It is a type of government in which the three branches (legislature, executive, and judiciary) operate independently and are unable to dismiss or dissolve one another. While the legislative creates the laws, the President is responsible for enforcing them, and the courts are in charge of carrying out judicial tasks.

Parliamentary Form of Government

Parliamentary Form of Government

• A Parliamentary form of democracy is also known as the Cabinet form of government or the ‘Responsible Government’.
• It is a form of government in which residents elect members to the legislative legislature.
• This Parliament is in charge of making state-wide decisions and legislation.
• It is also directly accountable to the general public.

Difference between forms of the Government

Difference between the Parliamentary and Presidential forms of the Government

Conclusion

Conclusion

Depending on whether a country has a Presidential or Parliamentary system, the governing structure varies. Some countries have used a combination of each of these approaches. Separation of powers, accountability, executives, and other factors distinguish these systems. Both of these systems have their own set of benefits and drawbacks. A country chooses the system that best matches its needs. In a varied country like India, the parliamentary system provides for representative governance, which is ideal.

FAQs

FAQs

Question: What do you mean by parliamentary democracy?

Answer:

A parliamentary system, often known as parliamentary democracy, is a type of democratic administration in which the executive derives political legitimacy by securing the support of the legislature, generally a parliament, to whom it is accountable.

Question: What is the Presidential Form of Government ?

Answer:

It is a type of government in which the executive, judiciary, and legislature all operate separately. The President is the main executive and is elected by the people directly.

Question: What do you mean by Autocracy ?

Answer:

Autocracy is a form of government in which one person holds ultimate authority over a state and whose decisions are not subject to external legal limitations or regularised methods of popular control.

UPSC Mains Practice Question:

1. Question: Distinguish between Parliamentary and Presidential forms of Government. Do you think that changing over to Presidential form will be a solution for better governance? Substantiate your answer. [UPSC 1995]

MCQs

MCQs

Question: In the context of India, which of the following principles is/are implied institutionally in the parliamentary government? [UPSC 2013]

1. Members of the Cabinet are Members of the Parliament.
2. Ministers hold the office till they enjoy confidence in the Parliament.
3. The Cabinet is headed by the Head of the State.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (a) See the Explanation

In a Parliamentary form of government, the Prime Minister leads the Cabinet. Members of the Cabinet are also members of Parliament, as India is a parliamentary democracy. The leader of the government, not the state, is in charge of the cabinet.

Therefore, Option (a) is the correct answer.

Question: Proportional representation is NOT necessary in a country where [UPSC 1997]

(a) there are no reserved constituencies

(b) a two-party system has developed

(c) the first-past-post system prevails

(d) there is a fusion of Presidential and Parliamentary forms of government

Answer: (b) See the Explanation

When a country has a multi-party system, proportional representation is required to represent the interests of minorities or parties that have not received enough votes to win. People who live in areas with a two-party system have a clear choice between two options. After that, the losing party will become the opposition.

Therefore, Option (b) is the correct answer.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.

IAS (UPSC CSE) 2022-23 Mock Test Series

UPSC IAS PYP 2020 GS PAPER 1

UPSC IAS PYP 2020 GS PAPER 2(CSAT)