PRESIDENTIAL FORM OF GOVERNMENT

The presidential form of govt is based on the principle of separation of

power between the executive and legislature. Under this system the

ig e
t
executive is independent from the control of legislature.

ha
as nc
Definition: in the opinion of Gettell,” presidential government is that form

, P cie
in which the chief executive is independent of the legislature as to his

ge S
tenure and to a large extent, as to his policies and acts. In this system, the

le l
ol ca
head of the state is real executive.”

C liti
ru Po
According to D.V. Verney.” The term presidential has been chosen
because in this system the office of the head of the government and head

eh of
of state is combined in president.”
l N nt
la e
The above definitions summarize two features of the presidential
ar rtm

executive i.e its independence and non-responsibility to the legislature as

ah a

well as its definite tenure and united structure. At present countries like
w ep

USA, Brazil, Sri Lanka etc are having presidential form of government.
Ja D
 FEATURES OF PRESIDENTIAL FORM OF GOVERNMENT:

1. Real head of the state: in this system the head of the state is the real
executive head.

ig e
t
2. Seperation of powers: the presidential form of government is based on the

ha
as nc
, P cie
principle of separation of power among the three organs of the

ge S
government. The executive is not responsible to legislature. The

le l
ol ca
executive cannot dissolve the legislature. And the judiciary is independent

C liti
from executive and legislature.

ru Po
3. Principle of checks and balances: All the three organs of the government

eh of
l N nt
is separated from each other but all are checking each other and
la e
restraining each other from any type of transgression of their power and
ar rtm

functions.
ah a
w ep

4. Superior position of president: the president occupies a superior position

Ja D

because all the power of the government are concentrated with him.
5. Political homogeneity not necessary: it is not necessary that all cabinet
should belong to same political party.
 MERITS OF PRESIDENTIAL FORM OF GOVERNMENT:
1. Stable government: president is elected for fixed tenure of four years. His
fixed tenure brings stability and efficiency in the administration.

ig e
t
ha
as nc
2. Separation of power: This checks the despotism of any branch of the

, P cie
government and ensures citizens rights and liberties.

ge S
le l
3. Suitable in emergency: Since the president is head of the state and

ol ca
C liti
government, he can take important decisions promptly and effectively.

ru Po
4. Government by able men: the president generally makes the appointment

eh of
of experts to head the portfolios without any consideration of party
l N nt
la e
affinity.
ar rtm
ah a
w ep
Ja D
 DEMERITS OF PRESIDENTIAL FORM OF GOVERNMENT:
1. Executive may become despotic: President enjoy vast power and his
tenure is fixed.So there is every possibility that he may act like despot.
2. Deadlocks between the organs: there is every possibility of deadlock

ig e
t
ha
as nc
between executive and legislature.

, P cie
3. The checks and balance is antithetical to economic planning.

ge S
le l
ol ca
4. Rigidity of constitution is also criticized because flexibility is required to

C liti
cope with the changing circumstances.

ru Po
5. Less possibility of enactment of good laws as there is less harmony

eh of
between executive and legislature.
l N nt
la e
ar rtm
However, despite above weaknesses, the presidential system of
ah a

government proves to be successful in United States of America.

w ep
Ja D
 Thank You!

ig e
t
ha
as nc
, P cie
ge S
le l
ol ca
C liti
ru Po
eh of
l N nt
la e
ar rtm

BA IV Semester, Sec-A
ah a
w ep

Department of Political Science

Ja D

Class Teacher: Dr. Putoli Langkham