Parliamentary System: Features, Merits and Distinctions from the British Model

Parliamentary System: Features, Merits and Distinctions from the British Model #

Parliamentary System: Articles, Principles, and the Westminster Model in India #

India follows a parliamentary system of government, also known as a Cabinet government, responsible government, or Westminster type of government. At the Centre, this system is defined by Articles 74 and 75 of the Constitution, while in the States, it is governed by Articles 163 and 164. This system ensures that the executive branch is accountable to the legislature, with the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers being responsible for running the government and making decisions on behalf of the country.

The parliamentary system emphasizes collective responsibility, democratic governance, and the central role of the elected legislature in holding the executive accountable.

Features of Parliamentary and Presidential Governments in India and the United States #

PARLIAMENTARY GOVERNMENT	AMERICAN PRESIDENTIAL GOVERNMENT
Nominal & Real (Dual) Executives: • President: Nominal executive (de jure), Head of State • Prime Minister: Real executive (de facto), Head of Government. • Council of Ministers headed by the PM to aid & advise the President. • Advice is binding on President (42nd & 44th amendment)	American President: Both head of State & Head of Government
Majority Party Rule: Political party with majority seats in Lok Sabha forms the government. Leader of that party is appointed as PM by the President and Ministers are appointed by the President on the advice of the PM. If no single party secures a majority, the President invites a coalition of parties.	The President is elected by the electoral college for a fixed term of four years. The President cannot be removed by the Congress except by impeachment for a grave unconstitutional act.
Collective Responsibility: Bedrock of parliamentary government. Article 75: CoM is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. Lok Sabha can remove CoM by passing no confidence motion.	The President and his secretaries are not responsible to the Congress.
Political Homogeneity: Single Party Majority: members of CoM from same political party and share same ideology Coalition Governement: CoM bound by consensus	Cabinet: Non-elected advisory body. Selected & appointed by the President. Responsible only for him. Removed by him.
Double Membership: Ministers are members of both the legislature and executive. Minister who is not a member of the parliament for six consecutive months ceases to be a minister.	The President and his secretaries are not members of Congress nor do they attend the sessions. There is complete separation of power between legislature and executive.
Leadership of PM: Leader of CoM Leader of parliament Leader of party in power	—–
Dissolution of Lower House: The President can dissolve Lok Sabha before the expiry of term on the recommendation of the PM.	The President cannot dissolve the House of Representatives (Lower House of Congress)
Secrecy: Ministers follow the principle of secrecy about their proceedings, policies & decisions. Ministers take oaths of secrecy administered by the President.	—–
Fusion of powers.	Separation of powers.

Merits and Demerits of the Parliamentary System. #

MERITS

DEMERITS

Harmony between legislature & Executive:

The executive is a part of the legislature, highlighting the cooperation and interdependence between the executive and legislative branches.
Less dispute and conflict between two organs.

Unstable Government:

The government may lose its majority due to no confidence motion, political defection or breakdown of coalition.

Responsible Government:

Ministers are responsible to the Parliament for their acts.
Parliament’s control over executive: question hour, discussions, debates, adjournment motion, no confidence motion.

No Continuity in Policies:

Change in government brings change in policies.
This is a roadblock in policy formulation & implementation in the long term.

Prevents Despotism:

Executive authority is not vested in a single person but in CoM.
Prevents dictatorship of the executive.

Dictatorship of Cabinet:

Ruling party with absolute majority->cabinet all powerful.
All policies are decided by the cabinet.

Ready Alternative Government:

Opposition party provides an alternative government if the ruling party loses majority.

Against Separation of Powers:

CoM and Cabinet are part of the legislature.
Cabinet: leader of legislature and executive.

Wide Representation:

CoM provides representation to all sections & regions in the government.

Government by Amateurs:

Ministers are not experts in their fields, resulting in less administrative efficiency.
Ministers can only be from parliament. The PM has no choice but to select outside experts.

Factors Influencing the Adoption of the Parliamentary System in India #

Familiarity with the System: Indians were already familiar with the parliamentary system due to British rule
Preference for More Responsibility: The parliamentary system ensures greater accountability and responsibility of the executive to the legislature.
Avoiding Legislative-Executive Conflict: Unlike separation of powers seen in the USA. The parliamentary system minimizes conflicts between the legislature and executive,
Accommodating India’s Diversity: Given the heterogeneous nature of Indian society, with its linguistic, religious, and ethnic diversity, the parliamentary system offers wider representation.

Understanding the Differences: Indian vs. British Parliamentary Systems #

INDIAN MODEL	BRITISH MODEL
Republican System: Head of State (President) is indirectly elected.	Monarchical System: Head of State (King/Queen) is hereditary.
Constitutional supremacy	Parliamentary sovereignty
The PM may be a member of any of the houses.	The PM should be a member of the Lower House.
A person who is not a member of any house can be appointed as minister, but only for six months.	Usually members of parliament are appointed as ministers.
No system of legal responsibility of ministers. Ministers are not required to countersign the official acts.	System of legal responsibility of the minister. Ministers are required to countersign the official acts.
No Shadow Cabinet	Shadow Cabinet by opposition: to balance the ruling cabinet and prepare its members for future ministerial office.

Conclusion

The parliamentary system in India, inspired by the British model, ensures a responsible and representative government. It fosters cooperation between the executive and legislature, accommodates India’s diverse society, and avoids conflicts seen in systems with strict separation of powers. Despite its challenges, this system provides stability and democratic accountability essential for the country’s governance.