Governmental Systems

Presidential Systems

  • Defined around a president.
  • Executive branch's power is separate from the legislature.
  • The people choose the president, allowing for greater separation of powers and natural checks and balances.

Parliamentary Systems

  • The legislature elects and removes the Prime Minister.
  • The legislature picks the president.
  • This can lead to less natural checks and balances.

Semi-Presidential Systems

  • Combination of presidential and parliamentary systems.
  • Power divided between the head of state (president) and head of government (Prime Minister).
  • The president typically sets policy, and the Prime Minister enforces it.

Comparison of Governmental Systems

  • Presidential
    • Executive Election: Directly elected by the people
    • Separation of Powers: Strong separation between executive and legislature
    • Checks and Balances: Stronger checks and balances due to separation
  • Parliamentary
    • Executive Election: Prime Minister elected by the legislature
    • Separation of Powers: Fusion of executive and legislative branches
    • Checks and Balances: Weaker checks and balances as the executive comes from the legislature
  • Semi-Presidential
    • Executive Election: President elected by people, Prime Minister by legislature
    • Separation of Powers: Power divided between president and Prime Minister
    • Checks and Balances: Moderate checks and balances due to dual executive