A Comparative Analysis of Political Systems: Essay on Governments

This essay delves into a comparative analysis of two primary governmental structures: the parliamentary and presidential systems. It begins by outlining the key features of a parliamentary system, emphasizing the Prime Minister's central role and the cabinet's accountability. The essay then contrasts this with the presidential system, highlighting the separation of powers and the President's executive authority. It further examines the implications of each system during national crises, suggesting that the parliamentary form might be more effective due to its collaborative approach, whereas the presidential system's concentrated power could pose challenges. Furthermore, the essay explores electoral systems, specifically contrasting the plurality system with the proportional electoral system, discussing their respective advantages and disadvantages in terms of representation, clarity, and potential for political outcomes. The essay concludes by providing insights into the factors that should guide the decision-making process when choosing between these electoral systems. This assignment, contributed by a student, is available on Desklib, a platform offering AI-based study tools for students.

Running head: POLITICAL SCIENCE
Political Science
Name of the Student:
Name of University:
Author Note

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POLITICAL SCIENCE
Parliamentary System of Government Presidential System of Government
The prime minister, in a parliamentary system
of government is very powerful, which is also
called a Prime Ministerial Government. The
cabinet is accountable to the prime minister in
such a format, who sits at the center of the
system and is responsible for maintaining a
uniform operation of the government along
with the legislative and executive.
The prime minister decides the cabinet
ministers. The general policies to be
developed by the government are decided by
the Prime minister.
In the parliamentary form of government, the
prime minister can exercise the power to
dissolve the parliament, even though it
belongs to the President.
In times of national crisis, the parliamentary
form of government will prove to be more
effective as it involves participation of the
legislative in a more profound manner.
A collective participation of the legislative
The Presidential form of government involves
representation and separation of powers.
However, the superior power lies with the
executive or the President, in this form of
government. The President is chosen by the
public through election and cannot be
dismissed before completion of his/her term.
The President governs the country even
though the powers of executive and
legislatives are strictly separated in this
system.
It can be said, that, in this system, the power
of a system is regulated with another power
through checks and balances. There cannot be
a cease in the existence of one another in the
system, which involve the executive and
legislative bodies.
The President is bestowed with the power of
forming and governing the government. The
constitutional power and responsibility lies
with the President.

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and cabinet ministers help in dealing with
national crisis more effectively.
During national crises, the presidential
decision might not be very effective as the
president is bestowed with utmost power,
which might as well be exercised in a manner
which does not serve national interest and
fails to address crisis.
What would guide your decision about whether to implement a plurality or PR electoral system
in a particular country?
Plurality is better to be implemented in a system as it allows determination of the
government in the simplest manner. In this system, the candidates who represent the political
parties would have to gain more votes as compared to the other candidates. The candidates, in
this system does not necessarily have to fill the criteria of acquiring votes more than the
opposition put together in a combination. This can be used for local as well as national elections.
The elected candidate becomes the member to represent the electoral district in the legislative.
This is followed in many countries which include India, Canada as well as United States. This is
very effective to maintain clarity and simplicity in the voting system and allow representation
from the candidate securing the maximum number of votes in a specific electoral district.
This contrast with the Proportional Electoral system as it tends to give rise to outcomes
which are disproportional and may obstruct the realization of the proportionality. In the
proportional electoral system, the voters are not very well connected with the candidates. In this
system, if a party, which is more radical in approach may achieve legitimization, which will
increase their parties, which may serve to be against the greater or societal good, rather catering

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to a chosen few or specific part of the society. The political agenda, in the system tends to get
heavily influenced by the party elites. In times of extremism and political turmoil, the PR
electoral system might be detrimental for the country.