Presidential & Parliamentary Systems Of Government

Governments play a large part in our lives. We are so used to their role, that much of their influence goes unnoticed. Governments differ from country to country, but their influence remains. Canada is a democracy with a parliamentary system of government. The United States of America is also a democracy but with a presidential system of government. Canada's parliament consists of the Queen, the Senate and the House of Commons. In the Canadian parliamentary system the Prime Minister is the Head of Government and is also a member of the House of Commons. The Prime Minister is the leader of the winning party in the federal election. This person is appointed by the Governor General as the Prime Minister. Even though they are appointed, they are elected first. The American system of government is established by the United States Constitution, which provides for three separate but equal branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial. Together, these branches govern the country. In the American presidential system the President is the head of government and chief executive officer. Both Canada and the United States are representative democracies with a federal structure. I prefer The Canadian parliamentary system of government over the American Presidential system of government. The leader of a political party in the American presidential system of government may only be reelected once. The leader of the political party in the American presidential system of government is not a member of Congress (legislative branch). As well, Voters must wait for regular elections to unseat an unsatisfactory president or member of Congress. In this essay the three branches of government, elections in the United States and Canada, the Head of State, similarities and differences to both systems of governments and the strengths and weaknesses to both systems of government will be examined and explained in depth for a better understanding of both the Canadian Parliamentary system and the American Presidential system.

The term separation of powers refers to the separation of powers between executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government. The American system of government has three separate but equal branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial. Together, these branches govern the country. The legislative branch of the federal government consists of the Congress. The Congress is divided into two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives. Each member of Congress is elected by the people of his or her state. Membership in the Senate is based on regional representation. That is two members from each state have 100 seats. Membership in the House of Representatives is based on representation by population. That is membership is based on state population and has 435 seats. The president is head of the executive branch. The president is also the Commander in Chief of the Armed forces. The president serves a four year term and may only be reelected once. The president lives and works in the White House. The president appoints the Cabinet and oversees the various agencies and ...