Question

Distinguish between parliamentary and presidential forms of government.

Explain three differences between parliamentary and presidential forms of government.

Identify two key points of difference between a parliamentary and a presidential system.

Answer 1

Parliamentary form of government	Presidential form of government
Majority Party Rules	The President is elected by an electoral college for a fixed tenure of four years
Collective Responsibility	The President governs with the help of a cabinet or a smaller body called ‘Kitchen Cabinet.’
The leadership of the Prime Minister	The president is both the head of state and the head of government.

Answer 2

Sr. No.	Feature	Parliamentary System	Presidential System
1.	Head of State	The head of state is a ceremonial figure, usually a monarch or president with limited powers.	The head of state is also the head of government (the president), holding significant executive powers.
2.	Head of Government	The Prime Minister is the head of government, leading the executive.	The President is both the head of state and head of government, centralizing executive authority.
3.	Separation of Powers	There is a fusion of powers between the executive and legislature.	There is a strict separation of powers between the executive, legislature, and judiciary.
4.	Executive Accountability	The executive (Prime Minister and Cabinet) is accountable to the legislature (Parliament).	The executive (President) is not accountable to the legislature in daily matters but can be impeached.
5.	Election of Executive	The Prime Minister is elected indirectly by the majority in the lower house of Parliament.	The President is elected directly by the people, often through an electoral system.
6.	Tenure of Executive	The Prime Minister's tenure depends on the confidence of the legislature and can vary.	The President has a fixed term, usually 4 years, with a possibility of re-election.
7.	Cabinet	The Cabinet is collectively responsible to the legislature (Parliament).	The Cabinet advises the President, but it is not collectively responsible to the legislature.
8.	Dissolution of Legislature	The legislature can be dissolved by the Prime Minister or the head of state in certain circumstances.	The President has no power to dissolve the legislature; the legislature operates for a fixed term.