Parliamentary system

BY: DR. MANISHA ROPETA

 Origin of Parliamentary system

⚫It dates back to middle ages in Europe, when specifically in

1188 Alfonso IX , King of Leon (Spain) convened three states
in Cortes of Leon.
⚫Similarly, there is example of parliamentary government
developed in today`s Netherlands and Belgium during the
Dutch revolt (1581), when the sovereign, legislative and
executive powers were taken over by the states General of
Netherlands from the monarch, king Philip II of Spain.
⚫But the modern concept of PG emerged in between 1707-
1800 in Great Britain being the first place to use it. Likewise,
its contemporary the Parliamentary system in Sweden
between 1721-1772.
⚫Parliaments then either were reformed or were initially
developed as distinct from their original British Model.
 What is parliamentary system?

⚫A system of government in which the power to make

and execute laws is held by a Parliament.
⚫Parliament is the highest legislature consisting of
the sovereign, the House of Lords, and the House of
commons, etc.
⚫ There are 2 types of legislature.
* unicameral (one chamber)
*bicameral (two chamber)
⚫Unicameral legislature: It is a form of
government with one legislative house. Unicameral
is the Latin word which means single-house
legislative system.
⚫Advantages of Unicameral legislature
* ease in check and balance
* ease in legislation
* easy to handle
⚫Bicameral legislature: it means government with
two legislative houses, it is also from Latin language
and this terms means two-house legislative system.
⚫Pros of bicameral legislature.
* End of Dominancy
*Adequate Representation
*minority matters
 Defining characteristics of the parliamentary
system.

⚫ The supremacy of the legislative branch within the

three functions of government—executive,
legislative, and judicial.
⚫The legislative function is conducted through a
unicameral (one-chamber) or bicameral (two-
chamber) parliament composed of members
accountable to the people they represent.
⚫A prime minister and the ministers of several
executive departments of the government primarily
carry out the executive function.
Main Characteristics of Parliamentary System.

⚫Legislature and executive are closely related and

share powers with each other.
⚫ Cabinet is formed by the parliament and
parliament is the superior organ.
⚫There are two executives i.e. the elected president
or king and the Prime Minister. President
represents state and Prime Minister represents
government.
⚫ Cabinet is responsible before the legislature.
 Features of Parliamentary system
⚫Formation of Cabinet.
⚫Team Work Spirit.
⚫Supremacy of Premier.
⚫Coordination of Powers.
⚫Political Collective Responsibility.
⚫Term of the office.
⚫Individual responsibility.
⚫Secrecy of procedure
⚫Political homogeneity (majority party or coalition)
⚫Two Executives.
-Titular Executive
-Real Executive
⚫Leadership of PM.