Q: Discuss the main advantages and disadvantages of the presidential system of

governance.

Subject: Political SciencePaper-1-CSS-PMS

By: Mr. Imran Zahoor
PhD Scholar of IR
WhatsApp: 0321-4800309

Meaning and Concept

 The president serves as both the head of state and head of government.
 The president is elected separately from the legislature.
 A clear separation of powers between the executive, legislative, and judicial
branches.
 The president often serves a fixed term.
 President exercises executive powers, including veto authority and decision-
making, without legislative approval.
 Executive branch operates independently, minimizing conflicts with legislature.
 Separation of powers allows checks; legislature passes laws, judiciary reviews
executive actions.
 Presidents are directly accountable through popular votes.
 Cabinet members, often presidential appointees, aren't typically legislators.
 Examples: United States, Brazil, Mexico, Indonesia.
 Presidential systems can work well in large and diverse countries where multiple
regions and groups have distinct interests. For example, the United States,
with its vast size and diverse population.
 This system is suitable for in federal or decentralized states, where regions or
states have significant autonomy, presidential system can help maintain a
balance between central and regional governments. Examples include Brazil
and Mexico.
 Presidential systems can accommodate culturally diverse nations where
different ethnic or cultural groups exist. Examples include Indonesia and
Nigeria.

The Evolution of Democratic Presidential Systems: A Historical Overview"

 American Revolution: The United States, influenced by Enlightenment ideals,

established the world's first modern democratic presidential system with the
adoption of the U.S. Constitution in 1787.
  French Revolution: The French Revolution (1789-1799) led to the rise of
democratic ideals in France, though this period saw significant turmoil and shifts
in governance.

 Latin American Independence Movements: In the early 19th century, many

Latin American countries achieved independence from European colonial powers
and adopted democratic forms of government.

 Spread of Democracy: Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, democratic

presidential systems spread globally, with various nations adopting their own
versions of democratic governance.

 21st Century: Democratic presidential systems continue to evolve and adapt

to changing political, social, and technological dynamics, with examples
found in countries worldwide, including the United States, Brazil, France.

By: Mr. Imran Zahoor

PhD Scholar of IR
Contact for More CSS-PMS Material
WhatsApp: 0321-4800309

Merits

Stable Leadership:

 Presidents serve fixed terms, ensuring stability in leadership and policymaking.

 In the United States, presidents serve four-year terms, which provide continuity in
governance.
 In Argentina, presidents serve four-year terms with a possibility of re-election,
contributing to political stability.

Clear Accountability:

 Presidents are directly accountable to the electorate through popular votes.

 Enhances democratic accountability as leaders must answer to the people.
 In Brazil, the president is elected by direct popular vote, ensuring a direct link
between the leader and the citizens.
  In Colombia, presidential elections are held every four years, allowing
citizens to hold leaders accountable through the ballot box.

Separation of Powers:

 The presidential system enforces a clear separation of powers between

executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
 This separation reduces the risk of authoritarianism and power concentration.
 The United States exemplifies this separation, with the executive branch headed by
the president, the legislative branch in Congress, and the judicial branch in the
Supreme Court.
 In Mexico, the president, legislature, and judiciary all have distinct roles, ensuring
checks and balances.

By: Mr. Imran Zahoor

PhD Scholar of IR
Contact for More CSS-PMS Material
WhatsApp: 0321-4800309

Decisive Decision-Making:

 A single individual serves as both head of state and government, enabling quick
and decisive decision-making.
 During crises or emergencies, this unified leadership can respond swiftly.
 During the Cuban Missile Crisis, U.S. President John F. Kennedy made swift
decisions, showcasing the advantage of a unified leadership role.
 After 9/11, President George W. Bush initiated immediate defensive actions
and set the groundwork for the War on Terror.
 President Franklin D. Roosevelt introduced the New Deal rapidly in response to
the Great Depression's economic challenges.

Checks and Balances:

 Despite separation of powers, checks and balances exist, preventing any branch
from becoming too powerful.
 Legislature can pass laws, and the judiciary can review executive actions for
constitutionality.
 The U.S. system is known for these checks and balances, with the Supreme
Court having the authority to review the constitutionality of presidential actions.
  In Indonesia, the Constitutional Court ensures that presidential decisions
comply with the constitution, maintaining a balance of power.
 Congress denied President Obama's request to close Guantanamo Bay,
showcasing legislative power over the executive.
 US President can veto the bill passed by Congress.
 Supreme Court can go for judicial review.

Direct Representation:

 Presidential systems allow for the direct democracy, where citizens' votes directly
determine the leader.
 In the Philippines, the president is directly elected by the people, reflecting their
direct will.
 In Nigeria, presidential elections involve citizens directly choosing their president,
emphasizing popular representation.

Accommodating Diverse Interests:

 In large and diverse countries, presidential systems can accommodate various

regional and cultural interests through direct presidential elections.
 Different regions or groups may see their interests better represented.
 In Brazil, a vast and diverse country, presidential elections reflect the diverse
interests and preferences of its regions.
By: Mr. Imran Zahoor
PhD Scholar of IR
Contact for More CSS-PMS Material
WhatsApp: 0321-4800309

Familiarity:

 In countries with a history of strong presidential leadership, the presidential

system may be a familiar and accepted form of governance.
 The system aligns with the historical and cultural context of those nations.
 Russia has a long history of strong presidential systems, making it a familiar
governance structure.

Capable and Talented Cabinet

 In a presidential system, the president typically appoints cabinet members, often

based on their qualifications, experience, and merit.
 This allows for the selection of capable individuals to serve key government
departments and agencies, promoting effective governance.
 Henry Kissinger (National Security Advisor and later Secretary of State): Henry
Kissinger played a pivotal role in Nixon's foreign policy initiatives, including the
normalization of relations with China (1972) and détente with the Soviet Union.
 Franklin D. Roosevelt's Cabinet: President Franklin D. Roosevelt's cabinet during
the Great Depression and World War II included notable individuals like
Secretary of State Cordell Hull and Secretary of the Treasury Henry Morgenthau
Jr. They played key roles in crafting New Deal policies and managing the
wartime economy.
 George Washington's Cabinet: The first President of the United States,
George Washington, appointed a diverse and capable cabinet. Notable
members included Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State and Alexander
Hamilton as Secretary of the Treasury, both of whom played crucial roles in
shaping early American policy and institutions.

By: Mr. Imran Zahoor

PhD Scholar of IR
Contact for More CSS-PMS Material
WhatsApp: 0321-4800309

Demerits

Inflexibility and Gridlock:

 Separation of powers can sometimes lead to gridlock when there is significant

disagreement between the executive and legislative branches.
 Inability to pass legislation can hinder the government's ability to address
pressing issues.
o Obama Healthcare Reform: In 2010, it faced significant legislative
hurdles and polarization, with opposition from some members of
Congress and legal challenges.
o Brazil has faced political gridlock and legislative paralysis on multiple
occasions.
 In recent years, tensions between the President and legislature
have hindered the passage of crucial economic reforms and
other significant legislation.
o Mexico's presidential system has witnessed challenges in passing key
reforms, particularly in areas like education and energy.
Lack of Accountability between Elections:

 Presidents have fixed terms, which can result in a lack of immediate

accountability between elections.
 In some cases, presidents may prioritize short-term policies that benefit their
reelection chances over long-term national interests.
 In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. government passed
multiple stimulus packages to provide financial relief to individuals and
businesses.

Potential for Authoritarianism:

 Strong executive powers may pose a risk of authoritarianism or abuse of power,

particularly in countries with weak checks and balances.
 Presidents with extensive authority may undermine democratic institutions.
 In Venezuela, President Hugo Chavez consolidated power during his
presidency.
 Chavez expanded executive authority, packed the judiciary with loyalists, and
weakened the opposition.
 In Russia, President Vladimir Putin has concentrated power in the executive
branch. Changes to the constitution, including the extension of presidential
terms
 In Egypt, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi's government has cracked down on
political dissent and civil society. The concentration of power in the
presidency, along with restrictions on the media and political opposition, has
led to accusations of authoritarianism.

By: Mr. Imran Zahoor

PhD Scholar of IR
Contact for More CSS-PMS Material
WhatsApp: 0321-4800309

Winner-Takes-All Elections:

 Presidential elections often employ a winner-takes-all system, which can lead

to polarization and marginalization of minority interests.
 Voters who do not support the winning candidate may feel underrepresented.
 o This occurred in the 2000 and 2016 elections, where the winning
candidates (George W. Bush and Donald Trump, respectively) secured
the presidency without winning the popular vote.
 Kenya's presidential elections have been characterized by winner-takes-all
dynamics.
 In the 2017 presidential election, for example, the winner, Uhuru Kenyatta,
secured a narrow victory

Difficulty in Removing Ineffective Leaders:

 Presidents serve fixed terms and are not easily removed through votes of no
confidence.
 In cases of ineffective or unpopular leadership, citizens may have to wait until
the next election to change leadership.

By: Mr. Imran Zahoor

PhD Scholar of IR
Contact for More CSS-PMS Material
WhatsApp: 0321-4800309

Instability during Transition:

 Transition periods between presidential elections can be marked by uncertainty

and political maneuvering.
 In some cases, outgoing presidents may attempt to consolidate power or
influence the outcome of the next election.
 Iran, 2009: The re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was mired in claims
of vote rigging favoring the conservative establishment.
 U.S., 2016: Obama's administration finalized several regulations in its last
months, some seen as hindering the incoming Trump administration.
 Gambia, 2016: President Yahya Jammeh, after initially conceding, later
rejected election results, leading to a crisis and external intervention.

Potential for Political Patronage:

 Presidents often have the power to appoint key officials, which can lead to
political patronage, nepotism, and cronyism.
 This may undermine merit-based governance.
  In 1960, after John F. Kennedy was elected president, he appointed his
brother, Robert F. Kennedy, as Attorney General.
 In Russia, Boris Yeltsin's presidency in the 1990s, several business figures
(oligarchs) became extremely influential in politics.
 Trump's decision to place family members like his son-in-law, Jared
Kushner, and his daughter, Ivanka Trump, in advisory roles was criticized by
some as nepotism, though both were unpaid.

Complex Electoral Systems:

 Presidential elections can be complex and costly, requiring significant

resources and attention.
 Complicated electoral processes can sometimes lead to disputes and
controversies.
By: Mr. Imran Zahoor
PhD Scholar of IR
Contact for More CSS-PMS Material
WhatsApp: 0321-4800309

Compare and Contrast of Parliamentary and Presidential Form of

Government

Compare

 Democratic Foundations: Both systems can be found in democratic societies

where the government is elected by the people. This includes periodic elections,
campaigning, and voter participation.

 Separation of Powers: Both systems generally acknowledge a separation of

powers, though the degree and nature of this separation vary between the two.

 Checks and Balances: Both systems incorporate mechanisms to ensure that one
branch or component of government doesn’t become too powerful.

 Representative Democracy: In both systems, representatives are elected to make

decisions on behalf of the people. These representatives are accountable to the
electorate and can be replaced in through elections.
 Judicial Oversight: Both systems usually feature an independent judiciary that
has the authority to review laws and governmental actions to ensure they are in
line with the constitution or established legal principles.

 Civil Liberties: Both systems often protect fundamental civil rights and liberties,
ensuring freedoms like speech, assembly, religion, and the press.

 Political Parties: Both systems generally have political parties that compete in
elections, represent various ideologies, and play a crucial role in the formation
and functioning of the government.

 Decentralization of Power: Many countries, regardless of whether they adopt a

presidential or parliamentary system, have some form of federalism or
decentralization, where regional or state governments have specific powers
separate from the national government.

 Policy Formulation and Implementation: In both systems, there's a structured

process for creating, debating, approving, and implementing policies or laws.

 Public Participation: Both systems emphasize the role of the public in governance,
either directly (e.g., referendums) or indirectly (e.g., through elected
representatives). They value civic engagement and citizen involvement in the
political process.

Contrast

Head of State vs. Head of Government:

 Parliamentary System: The roles of the head of state and head of government
may be separated. For example, in the UK, the monarch is the head of state
and the Prime Minister is the head of government.
 Presidential System: The president typically serves as both the head of state
and the head of government, as seen in the U.S, Brazil, Mexico, Indonesia,
Argentina etc.
 Election & Removal:

 Parliamentary System: The executive leader (e.g., Prime Minister) is usually the
leader of the majority party in the legislature and can typically be removed by a
vote of no confidence.
 Presidential System: The president is elected separately from the legislature,
often for a fixed term, and typically cannot be removed unless through
impeachment for serious offenses.

Executive's Origin:

 Parliamentary System: The executive branch emerges from the legislative

branch. The Prime Minister and the cabinet are typically members of the
parliament.
 Presidential System: The executive branch is separate from the legislative
branch. The president is not a member of the legislature.

Cabinet Members:

 Parliamentary System: Cabinet members are usually members of the

legislature.
 Presidential System: Cabinet members are not members of the legislature and
are often appointed by the president.

Flexibility and Stability:

 Parliamentary System: Tends to provide more flexibility as the executive can be

changed more easily if it loses the confidence of the majority in the legislature.
However, this can sometimes lead to instability if there are frequent changes in
leadership.
 Presidential System: Offers more stability since the president is elected for a
fixed term, but it might lead to potential jam if the president and the legislative
majority belong to opposing parties.

Potential for Concentration of Power:

o Parliamentary System: There's often a closer cooperation and lesser conflict
between the executive and legislative branches, especially if one party holds
the majority in the parliament.
o Presidential System: The separation between the executive and legislative
branches is more prominent, which can serve as a check against the
concentration of power.

By: Mr. Imran Zahoor

PhD Scholar of IR
Contact for More CSS-PMS Material
WhatsApp: 0321-4800309