Comparison of Parliamentary System in Canada and American Government Power Structure

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Professor’s name
University name
City, State
Date of submission

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Introduction
The parliamentary government theory in Canada has contrasted with the American
preoccupation of due process, diffusion of power and individual freedom. It is well suited for
the political culture of the Canadians through elaborate checks and balances systems. The
author notes that the elements of a parliamentary system is a limited review of the judicial
system, a strong cabinet that has power centralized in the hands of elected prime minister and
a more responsible government.1 In today’s government structure, the prerogative that were
held before by the Prime minister and his or her cabinet is now shared together with the
Canadian supreme court that is required to interpret the Canadian rights charter, the house of
commons and the senate that is usually an activist house controlled by the opposition and
checks the government.
The parliamentary system although popular Canada is where the executive is headed
by the Prime minister while the legislature is led by the opposition. In theory, a divided house
is impossible in the Canadian parliamentary system. If one party does not control both houses
then the senate may decide to block effective legislations if it decides to exercise its
constitutional powers. An activist senate may lead to an election where there is no provision
to override the powers or effective mechanisms of working out or solving short conflicts and
disputes.
Authors Main Argument
The authors’ main argument is the representation of the Canadian government as
compared to the American government power structure. It is effective comparison between a
1 Caramani, D. ed., 2017. Comparative politics. Oxford University Press.