What are merits and demerits of Parliamentary system?
Q. Which of the following are correct regarding Parliamentary System?
1) It is government by experts.
2) It is unstable government.
3) It is against separation of powers.
4) It can lead to despotism.
5) It is responsible government.- Published on 23 Feb 17a. 1, 4, 5
b. 2, 3, 5
c. 1, 3, 4
d. All of the above
ANSWER: 2, 3, 5
Merits of The Parliamentary System -
Harmony between legislature and executive - The executive is a part of the legislature and both are interdependent at work resulting in less disputes.
1. The ministers are responsible to the Parliament for all their acts of omission and commission.
2. The Parliament exercises control over the ministers through various devices like question hour, adjournment motion, discussions, no confidence motion, etc.
Helps in preventing despotism -
1. The executive authority is vested in council of ministers and not in a single person thus checking dictatorial tendencies of the executive.
2. Executive is responsible to the Parliament and can be removed by a no-confidence motion.
Ready Alternative Government -
1. Ruling party on losing its majority, the Head of the State can invite the opposition party to form the government without fresh elections.
2. Dr Jennings says, ‘the leader of the opposition is the alternative prime minister’.
Wide Representation - It is possible to provide representation to all sections and regions in the government.
Demerits of The Parliamentary System -
1. There is no guarantee that a government can survive its tenure.
2. The ministers depend on the mercy of the majority legislators.
3. A no-confidence motion or political defection or multi-party coalition can make the government unstable.
No Continuity of Policies -
1. Uncertainty of the tenure is not conductive for the formulation and implementation of long-term policies.
2. Change in the ruling party is usually followed by changes in the policies of the government.
Dictatorship of the Cabinet -
1. When the ruling party enjoys absolute majority in the Parliament, the cabinet becomes autocratic and exercises nearly unlimited powers.
Against Separation of Powers -
1. In the parliamentary system, the legislature and the executive are together and inseparable.
2. Thus it goes against the theory of separation of powers. In fact, there is a fusion of powers.
1. The system is not conductive to administrative efficiency as the ministers are not experts in their fields.
2. The PM in the selection of ministers is restricted to the members of Parliament alone and cannot tap into external talent.
3. Also, the ministers devote most of their time to parliamentary work,cabinet meetings and party activities.
