What are features of Presidential Government?
Q. What are not features of Presidential form of government?
1) Single executive.
2) Dual executive.
3) Double membership.
4) Dissolution of lower house.- Published on 23 Feb 17a. 1, 2, 4
b. 2, 3, 4
c. 1, 2, 3
d. 1, 3, 4
ANSWER: 2, 3, 4
America has presidential form of government.
The features are as follows -
- The President is both the head of the State and the head of government.
- As the head of State, he occupies a ceremonial position. As the head of government, he leads the executive organ of government. There is single executive.
- The President is elected by an electoral college for a fixed tenure (In USA for four years).
- President and legislators are elected separately.
- He cannot be removed by the Congress except by impeachment for a grave unconstitutional act.
- The President governs with the help of a cabinet or a smaller body called ‘Kitchen Cabinet’.It is only an advisory body and consists of non-elected departmental secretaries.
- They are selected and appointed by him, are responsible only to him, and can be removed by him anytime. They may not be political homogeneity.
- The President and his secretaries are not responsible to the Congress for their acts.
- They neither possess membership in the Congress nor attend its sessions. Thus, they have single membership (of executive only).
- The President cannot dissolve the House of Representatives - the lower house of the Congress.
- The doctrine of separation of powers is the basis of the American presidential system.
- The legislative, executive and judicial powers of the government are separated and vested in the three independent organs of the government.
- Domination of president can be seen.
Merits -
1. Definiteness in policies.
2. Separation of powers.
3. Stable government.
4. Government by experts.
Demerits -
1. May lead to autocracy.
2. Conflict between legislature and executive.
3. Non-responsible government.
4. Narrow representation.
