Presidential vs Parliamentary System

Comparative Analysis of Canadian Parliament and American Congress

The Canadian Parliamentary system and American Congressional system are both representative democracies. Both forms of government have advantages, disadvantages, and similarities. The Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches of government work differently in each system. This paper will overview each system and explains the roles of each branch of government. I will argue in favor of the Parliamentary systems superiority over the Congressional system. Through insight of the efficiency of party discipline, fusion of powers, and the accessibility of removing the Head of Government the Parliamentary system is a more powerful, well-rounded system of democracy.

The Canadian Parliamentary system is separated into three branches the Executive branch, Legislative branch, and the Judicial branch. Parliament consists of the Crown, the Senate, and the House of Commons. Canadian Parliament lasts for 4 years, with one-year sessions. A party can win a majority of seats of the House, forming a majority government. If one party does not win a majority the party with the largest number of seats will form the government. Parties can also form a coalition government; the leader with the larger party will become the Prime Minister. The Executive and Legislative branches are fused, meaning that the Executive branch must consist of members from the Legislative branch. In Canada, responsible government is characterized by the necessity of the Cabinet to have a majority support of the House of Commons. The government must maintain confidence of the legislature or it faces a vote of non-confidence. A vote of non-confidence indicates that the current Government lacks the majority support of the House. There are twenty-one days in a term that are known as Opposition Days. Opposition days allow the opposition to set the agenda, it allows for smaller parties to take up the subject for debate. Everyday, the Opposition...