Question

Discuss the relative demerits of Presidential Forms.

Make a comparative study of the demerits of the presidential forms of government.

Answer 1

1. Concentration of Power: The President holds a very powerful position as both the head of the state and the head of the government. The success of the system heavily depends on the qualities of this one individual.
2. Arbitrariness: Since the President possesses extensive powers, there is a risk of arbitrary rule.
3. Irresponsibility: The executive is not responsible to the legislature, which can lead to unaccountable governance.
4. Deadlocks: Due to the separation of powers, conflicts between the executive and legislature are common, causing inefficiencies and blame games.
5. Rigidity: The fixed tenure of the executive makes it difficult to bring about changes even when necessary, which can lead to administrative stagnation.
6. Party Politics: The system is not immune to the negative aspects of party politics, where political parties may use the legislature to exert control over the executive.
7. Lack of Direct Responsibility: The President is not directly accountable to the people's representatives, weakening the democratic process.
8. Weak Legislative Initiative: The President and his ministers often lack a proactive role in initiating legislation, reducing the efficiency of administration.