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

Types/forms/ systems of government (Presidential)

Performance Objectives

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

1. explain the meaning of presidential system of government;
2. discuss the characteristics of presidential system of government;
3. examine the merits and demerits of presidential system of government.

Meaning of Presidential System of Government

A presidential system of government is a democratic system where the executive branch is led by a president who serves as both the head of state and the head of government, and is constitutionally independent of the legislature.

In this system, the executive power is completely separated from the legislative and judicial powers. The president is elected directly or indirectly by the citizens for a constitutionally defined, fixed term of office. Unlike in a parliamentary system, the president does not depend on the legislature to remain in power, and cabinet ministers are appointed from outside the legislature. The Federal Republic of Nigeria and the United States of America are prominent examples of countries operating a presidential system of government.

Characteristics of Presidential System of Government

The main characteristics of a presidential system of government include:

1. Single Executive: The President combines the roles of Head of State and Head of Government. This means the President performs ceremonial duties and also directs the daily administration of the state.
2. Separation of Powers: The three organs of government—the Executive, the Legislature, and the Judiciary—operate as distinct bodies with separate personnel, powers, and constitutional functions. No individual can belong to more than one branch at the same time.
3. Fixed Tenure of Office: The President and members of the legislature are elected for a specific number of years as defined by the constitution. The government cannot be dissolved prematurely by a vote of no confidence.
4. System of Checks and Balances: Each branch of government possesses constitutional powers to monitor, limit, and check the activities of the other branches to prevent the abuse of power.
5. Supremacy of the Constitution: The constitution is the supreme law of the land. All actions of the President, the legislature, and the judiciary must align with constitutional provisions, or they will be declared null and void by the courts.
6. Cabinet Responsibility to the President: Ministers are appointed by the President, often subject to legislative confirmation. These ministers are individually responsible to the President, who can dismiss them at will, rather than being collectively responsible to the legislature.
7. Direct Popular Mandate: The President is elected by the entire electorate of the nation, rather than being chosen by members of the legislature. This gives the President a direct mandate from the citizens.

The diagram below illustrates the relationship and separation of powers among the three branches of government in a presidential system.

Concentration of Power and Authority in a Presidential System

Locating where power and authority reside is essential to understanding the presidential system. In this system, executive authority is concentrated in a single individual—the President. This is known as a single executive model. Unlike the parliamentary system where executive authority is shared among cabinet members under collective responsibility, the President holds ultimate executive decision-making power. Ministers function primarily as advisers and administrative assistants who serve at the pleasure of the President.

However, this concentration of executive power is balanced by the distribution of other forms of state authority. Legislative authority is concentrated in the legislature, which has the sole power to make laws and approve the national budget. Judicial authority is concentrated in an independent judiciary, which interprets the laws and the constitution. Therefore, while executive authority is concentrated in the office of the President, overall political power is distributed across the three branches to prevent absolute concentration and tyranny.

Merits of Presidential System of Government

The merits of a presidential system of government include:

1. Political Stability: The fixed tenure of office ensures that the government remains stable. The administration cannot be easily brought down by political disagreements or a vote of no confidence in the legislature.
2. Protection of Liberty: The strict application of the principle of separation of powers and checks and balances prevents the concentration of power in one branch, thereby protecting the fundamental rights of citizens.
3. Speed and Decisiveness: Because executive power is concentrated in a single president, the executive can make quick and decisive actions during national emergencies without waiting for parliamentary debates.
4. Use of Non-Politician Experts: The President has the freedom to appoint highly qualified professionals and technical experts into the cabinet from outside the political class, leading to efficient administration.
5. National Unity: Since the entire country serves as a single constituency for the presidential election, the President must appeal to diverse groups, which can foster national integration and unity.
6. Judicial Independence: The judiciary is constitutionally insulated from legislative and executive control, allowing judges to interpret the law impartially.

Demerits of Presidential System of Government

The demerits of a presidential system of government include:

1. Tendency Towards Dictatorship: The concentration of executive powers in a single individual can lead to authoritarianism or executive lawlessness if the system of checks and balances is weak.
2. High Cost of Operation: Running a presidential system is highly expensive. It requires maintaining separate executive and legislative arms, conducting nationwide presidential elections, and funding a large number of administrative offices.
3. Frequent Executive-Legislative Friction: The separation of powers often leads to conflicts and gridlock between the President and the legislature, especially when different political parties control the executive and legislative branches. This can delay the passage of bills and budgets.
4. Rigidity of Tenure: A non-performing, corrupt, or unpopular president cannot be easily removed from office before the expiration of the term, as the impeachment process is highly complex, slow, and politically difficult.
5. Winner-Takes-All System: The presidential election produces a single winner who controls all executive patronage. This can lead to the marginalisation of minority groups and opposition parties, creating political tension and instability.