Types and forms and systems of government (Parliamentary) for SS 1

Types/forms/ systems of government (Parliamentary)

Performance Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. explain the meaning of parliamentary system of government;
2. discuss its characteristics;
3. examine its merits and demerits;
4. differentiate between parliamentary and presidential systems of government.

Meaning of Parliamentary System of Government

A parliamentary system of government is a system of government in which the executive branch derives its democratic legitimacy from, and is held accountable to, the legislature, and the offices of the head of state and head of government are held by two different individuals.

This system is also known as the Cabinet system or the Westminster system, named after the British Parliament at Westminster where the system originated. In this system, there is no strict separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches. Instead, there is a fusion of powers, meaning that members of the executive branch (the Prime Minister and the Cabinet) are also elected members of the legislature.

Historically, Nigeria practiced this system of government during the First Republic, from 1960 to 1966. During this period, Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa served as the Head of Government (Prime Minister), while Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe served as the Head of State (initially as Governor-General and later as President when Nigeria became a republic in 1963). Other prominent examples of countries practicing this system include the United Kingdom, Canada, India, and Australia.

Characteristics of Parliamentary System of Government

The parliamentary system of government possesses distinct features that set it apart from other systems of government. The main characteristics of a parliamentary system of government are:

1. Dual Executive: The executive power is divided between two individuals. There is a ceremonial Head of State (such as a Monarch or a President) who performs symbolic and ceremonial duties, and an active Head of Government (the Prime Minister) who exercises actual executive authority and runs the day-to-day administration of the state.
2. Fusion of Powers: The executive and legislative branches are closely linked. The Prime Minister and other cabinet ministers must be members of the parliament. They participate in parliamentary debates, vote on bills, and are directly answerable to the legislature.
3. Collective Responsibility: The cabinet operates as a single unit. All ministers are collectively responsible for government policies and decisions. If a policy is agreed upon in cabinet, every minister must defend it publicly. If a vote of no confidence is passed against the government in parliament, the entire cabinet must resign.
4. Individual Responsibility: Each minister is personally responsible for the administration of their specific government department. If a major administrative failure occurs within a department, the minister in charge is expected to take responsibility and may be forced to resign.
5. The Office of the Prime Minister: The Prime Minister is the leader of the political party with the majority of seats in parliament. The Prime Minister is regarded as “primus inter pares” (first among equals) in the cabinet, possessing the power to appoint, reshuffle, or dismiss ministers.
6. Existence of an Official Opposition: The political party with the second-largest number of seats in parliament forms the official opposition. The opposition party scrutinizes government policies, debates bills, and presents itself as an alternative government-in-waiting, often forming a “shadow cabinet.”
7. Power of Dissolution: The executive has the power to dissolve parliament before the end of its official tenure. The Prime Minister can advise the Head of State to dissolve parliament and call for early (snap) elections.

Merits of Parliamentary System of Government

The parliamentary system offers several advantages in terms of governance, representation, and accountability. The major merits of the parliamentary system of government include:

1. Prevention of Dictatorship: The collective nature of cabinet decision-making prevents a single individual from monopolizing power. The Prime Minister must constantly consult with cabinet colleagues and maintain the support of parliament.
2. Harmony and Cooperation: Because the executive is drawn from the majority party in parliament, there is usually a high level of cooperation between the executive and legislative branches. This minimizes political friction and deadlocks.
3. Quick Decision-Making and Law-Making: Bills and policies proposed by the executive are easily passed into law because the government commands a majority in the legislature. This makes the system highly efficient during emergencies.
4. High Level of Accountability: The executive is constantly subjected to scrutiny. Ministers must attend parliamentary sessions regularly to answer questions from members of parliament, including the opposition, regarding government activities.
5. Flexibility in Governance: The system allows for an easy change of government without waiting for the end of a fixed term. If the government loses the confidence of parliament, it can be voted out immediately through a vote of no confidence, and a new government can be formed.

Demerits of Parliamentary System of Government

Despite its advantages, the parliamentary system has several limitations that can affect political stability and administrative efficiency. The major demerits of the parliamentary system of government include:

1. Instability of Government: Parliamentary governments can be highly unstable, especially when no single party wins an outright majority. This leads to coalition governments, which can easily collapse if one partner party withdraws its support, leading to frequent changes in government.
2. Weak Separation of Powers: The fusion of the executive and legislature violates the principle of separation of powers. This can lead to a situation where the executive dominates the legislature, particularly when the ruling party has a massive parliamentary majority.
3. Lack of Specialization: Ministers must be chosen from elected members of parliament. This limits the pool of talent available to the Prime Minister, as highly qualified professionals who are not politicians cannot be appointed directly to the cabinet.
4. Dictatorship of the Cabinet: When a ruling party holds a very large majority in parliament, the cabinet can become overly powerful, pushing through policies and laws with little regard for the views of the opposition or the public.
5. Division of Attention: Ministers are burdened with multiple responsibilities. They must perform their duties as constituency representatives, participate in parliamentary debates and voting, and run their respective government ministries. This can lead to inefficiency.

Differences Between Presidential and Parliamentary Systems of Government

The presidential and parliamentary systems represent the two primary democratic models of government. They differ significantly in their structure, distribution of power, and operational mechanisms.

The table below outlines the key differences between the presidential and parliamentary systems of government: