In a parliamentary system, the head of government derives democratic legitimacy from commanding the support (“confidence”) of a majority of the legislature (legislature = parliament) to which he or she is held accountable. This contrasts with a presidential system in which the head of government is not directly accountable to the legislative body and can only be replaced by a new president elected by the legislature.
Advocates of parliamentary democracy argue that it is more directly responsive to popular influence and is more efficient than the presidential alternative. If the governing body, the legislature or parliament, suffers a “no confidence” vote and loses its authority to govern, it may be dissolved and new elections called for a fresh parliamentary membership, with the aim of establishing a government which commands the confidence of the legislature. Parliamentary systems may be bicameral, with two chambers of parliament or houses, or unicameral, with one parliamentary house.
Most parliamentary systems employ some form of plurality voting, where voters choose between candidates from political parties. The electoral systems vary between countries, but India, Australia and New Zealand are good examples of a parliamentary democracy that uses a proportional representation system that allows for a single-party majority, with a lower house and an upper house that may be appointed or elected in a different way from the lower house. Many parliamentary systems also feature anti-defection laws that restrain members from switching between parties. This differs from systems such as the United States, where members of Congress are free to change parties.
About the Author
