Posted by Chester Morton / Wednesday, 6 April 2016 / No comments
The features of a Parliamentary system of Government
PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT
Definition
A parliamentary system also called a cabinet system of government is that type of system
in which the executive arm of government emanates from the legislative arm of
government and owes its legitimate existence to the legislature. In other words,
all the members of the executive are chosen from the legislature and are
ultimately responsible to it. Countries that practice the parliamentary
system include Britain, Canada, Australia and Ghana under the 1969
constitution.
FEATURES OF THE PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM
Dual Executive
The Parliamentary system of government operates
the dual executive. It is also called the bicephalous executive. In other
words, the executive is headed by two persons, that is, a head of state, who
performs the ceremonial functions and a head of government who performs the
governmental functions.
Fusion of Powers
The Parliamentary system is based on the concept
of fusion of powers between the executive and the legislature. What this means
is that the members of the executive are at the same time, members of the
legislature. At elections, members of parliament are elected directly by the
electorates into the legislature. The leader of the majority party in
parliament then becomes the Prime Minister who then select members from his
party to form the government of the day.
Collective
responsibility to the Legislature
One of the other features of this that the
members of the executive arm of government are made responsible and accountable
to the legislature for anything that goes wrong. in fact, they could be forced to
collectively resign their position where they no longer enjoy the support of the
legislature.
No Fixed Term of
Office
Unlike the Presidential system where the
Executive has a fixed term of office, in the Parliamentary system, the
executive does not have any fixed term of office. If it no longer enjoys the
full support of the legislature, they may later pass a vote of no confidence
in it and the entire cabinet step down.
Official Opposition
The parliamentary system of government also
boasts of the official recognition of an official opposition. The official
opposition has two main duties. One is put the ruling government of its toes by
monitoring its work so that does not deviate from its core mandate. the second
one is to serve as a government in waiting so that when the need arises, it
could be called to form the next government.
Strong Party
Discipline
Party discipline is a crucial matter in a
parliamentary system of government. In fact, it is relatively strong. Members
of Parliament are not expected to deviate from the goals and policies of their
party. They are not allowed to openly criticize their party. Any member of
parliament who falls out of line is whipped back into line.
Supremacy of
Parliament
This system operates under the principle that
Parliament is supreme. This means the parliament has the power to do anything and nobody has the power to stop it.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
1. a. Define a parliamentary system of government? [2 marks]
b. Highlight five features of a parliamentary system of government. [10 marks]
2. Highlight six features of a parliamentary system of government. [12 marks]
3. State six characteristic features in a Cabinet system of government. 12 marks]
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