parliamentary systems

parliamentary form of government

assembly representing local interests coexisted with a cabinet of ministers

presidential form of government

executive that is independent of the assembly

defining characteristics of parliamentarism

the survival of the government in office depends on the elected assembly

parliament elects the government

prime minister can dissolve the parliament

cabinet members are recruited from within parliament

executive and legislative branch are closely intertwined

principal-agent relationships

principal delegates to an agent

danger of agency loss

agent has an information advantage

delegation in parliamentarism

one chain of delegation

few checks and balances

focus on ex ante control

functions of parliament

public debate

executive oversight

political recruitment

coalition government

no single-party majority

delegation problems

govern together but campaign separately

minority government

parties in government do not have majority seats in parliament

bicameralism

second chamber/house of parliament