Meaning and Definition of Parliamentary system of government:
Parliamentary government is such a system of governance, wherein executive is responsible towards legislature and the formation of executive is also done from legislature. In this form of government, a close rapport is found between executive and legislature. Executive remains ‘in power’ till the legislature has confidence in it.
Features of Parliamentary form of government:
1. Dual Executive:
In parliamentary form of government, dual executive functions. In this system, president is the constitutional head of the state. In principle, all powers of governance are with head of state (King or President) and all works of governance are done in his name, but practically, he is only a nominal head of the state. He is head of state, not of governance. In parliamentary form of government, the actual head of governance is Prime Minister and he is responsible for governance – related works:
2. Close rapport between executive and legislature:
In parliamentary form of government, executive and legislature are closely interrelated. Real executive or council of ministers is appointed from legislature and it is responsible towards legislature for its works and policies.
3. The principle of collective responsibility:
Parliamentary form of government works on the principle of collective responsibility. It implies that only a minister is not responsible for his work, instead, the cabinet is collectively answerable to the legislature.
4. Leadership of Prime Minister:
In parliamentary form of government, Prime Minister is the leader of executive. He is also leader of government and council of ministers. All ministers are under his control and can remain in office at hiz ‘seat’. With the resignation of Prime Minister, entire cabinet stands ‘ousted.’
5. Confidentiality:
In parliamentary form of government, entire proceeding of the cabinet are kept ‘secret’. All ministers, while taking up their portfolios, take an oath to remain loyal towards constitution and to maintain confidentiality and sanctity of the post.
6. Political uniformity:
In parliamentary form of government, due to unity of political thoughts, there remains unity in policies, programmes and principles of the cabinet. In the event of no single political party gaining majority, a coalition government is constituted, which works on the basis of minimum common programme.
