parliamentary vs presidential

parliamentary system: combo of law making and executive allows national to select and removes head of government and cabinet

• voters elect parliament

• chief executive (prime minister) is selected by majority party in parliament

• Prime minister is also MP

• no set term limit

presidential: voters select presidential and legislative in separate popular elections

• elect executive

• elect legislative

• set terms and powers (check and balances each other)

Pros and cons:

parliamentary:

• fewer obstacles to enact policy (easier to pass legislative agenda)

• more difficult to check executive power

presidential:

• built in checks and balances

• separate branches are more likely to slow down the policy process and create gridlock

choosing a cabinet:

• Parliamentary-

  • majority party choose prime minister

  • prime minister choosing mp at the same time to serve as cabinet

• Presidential

  • voters choose pres

  • pres chooses cabinet/confirmed by legislative

  • cabinet cant be members of legislative

LEGISLATIVE SYSTEMS

• unicameral: one house legislature

• bicameral: two house legislature

• parliamentary hybrid: only applies to russia; president is directly elected by people the pres appoints prime minister of lower house of legislature (the duma)