Republic of the Philippines

Pangasinan State University – Bayambang Campus

Bayambang, Pangasinan

Comparison of System
(Handouts)

Submitted By:

Ico, Rosemarie M
Maniling, Joanne R.

Quijano, Joy Anne R.

Submitted To:

Mr. Randy De Guzman

March 1, 2023
 Handouts

Comparison of System

Objectives
At the end of this lesson, the student should be able to:
a. Identify the main purpose of Parliamentary system of Government
b. Analyze the different pros and cos of the presidential form of government.
c. Define unicameral and bicameral legislature; and
d. Differentiate the unicameralism and bicameralism.

Learning Contents:
1. Advantages and Disadvantages of Parliamentary Government.
2. Advantages and Disadvantages of Presidential Government
3. Unicameral vs. Bicameral

Introduction

There are various types of government that a country can possess, and they can be in the form
of authoritarian, dictatorial, totalitarian, monarchical, or democratic governments. Among these types,
there is one system that dominates the world, which almost two-thirds of the world has, and this is the
democratic system of government, in which it gives its citizens more rights, letting opposition parties
organize, holding fair elections, unshackling the press, and making other political reforms.

Under a democratic system, there are two different functions that can be applied in terms of
managing a government: the parliamentary form of government and the presidential form of government.

What is Parliamentary form of government?

➢ Parliamentary government is a form of government in which the majority party in

parliament constitutes governmental power. The executive powers and legislative
powers are merged because the legislative branch (parliament) elects the prime minister
who serves as the executive branch of government, or the “head of government.” In
parliamentary systems, people elect only parliamentary members and not the prime
minister. Therefore, the executive branch cannot come to power or function without the
support of the legislative branch.
➢ In a parliamentary system, the head of state and head of government are usually two
separate positions, with the head of state serving as a ceremonial figurehead with little
if any power, while all of the real political power is vested in the head of government.

The History Behind Parliamentary Governments

➢ Though democracy itself can be traced back much further (as mentioned above, it dates
back to ancient times), “parliament” was first be seen getting its origin in the year 1066,
when a feudal system was established in England. With this system, the monarch sought
the advice of a council of established and high-ranking people before they could make
laws. However, as the years and centuries went on, this council grew to become more
 powerful and gradually restricted the governing abilities of the monarch. After the Magna
Carta agreement of 1215, England’s monarchs became further restricted by the council,
whose permission they now had to seek in order to collect taxes and pass certain laws.
This council soon developed into “parliament”.

Advantages of Parliamentary form of Government

1. The Parliamentary form of government maintains harmony between the different wings of
the government especially Legislature and Executive. The Cabinet Government controls
both the wings of executive and legislative. In such system, the executive is responsible to
the legislature that results in the smooth functioning of the government.
2. Such type of government imposes a restriction on the autocratic rule of the government. The
presence of opposition makes it difficult for the government to work against the public.
Therefore, the opposition keeps a check on the policies of the government and prohibits the
system to go arbitrary.
3. The Parliamentary form of Government provides an opportunity to the common people to be
a part of the government. In other words, it provides chance to the citizens of the country to
rule their own country by assuming the reign of the government.
4. Such system of government is responsive to the public opinion. The Cabinet prepares the
policy according to the desires and aspiration of the people. The public policies are always
based on the satisfaction of the public at large as dissatisfaction on the part of the public
might result in the change of the government.
5. Parliamentary form of government provides a flexible and responsive form of government. If
the cabinet fails to exercise its power, the legislature has the power to overthrow the present
cabinet and appoint a new cabinet that will meet the need and aspiration of the people.

Therefore, the ultimate sovereignty of the people is recognized in Parliamentary form of government. As
a result, such type of government has been considered as the best specimen of the representative
democracy.

Disadvantages of Parliamentary Form of Government

1. Struggles Between the Ruling Party and the Opposition

➢ The system may lead to unhealthy rivalry between the ruling party and the opposition
party. The opposition is officially recognized and is seen as a government in waiting. So
sometimes they fall into the trap of over-criticizing the government of the day to gain
political advantage. Such destructive criticisms can delay the progress of national
development.

2. Expensive to Operate

➢ The dual nature of the executive in the Parliamentary system of government creates
more expenses as the office of the Prime Minister and of the President or the Queen,
must both be catered for in terms of the provision of facilities and logistics. This results
in unnecessary waste of national resources. In effect, it is relatively more expensive to
operate the Parliamentary system of government than the presidential system.

3. It Violates the Concept of Separation of Powers

 ➢ The principle of separation of powers states that the three arms of government, the
legislature, the executive and the judiciary must be separate in functions, personnel and
power. However, under the parliamentary system, there is a fusion of powers in terms
of the executive and the legislature.

4. Conflict Between the Head of State and Head of Government

➢ The dual executive can be a source of conflict in a parliamentary system of government.

This may result from the two executives disagreeing on policy and programs to be
implemented in the state. It was one of these reasons which led to the conflict between
Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba and President Joseph Kasavubu in the former Congo
in the 1960’s. It is believed that this was what led to the eventual assassination of Patrice
Lumumba.

5. Lack of Initiative on the Part of Parliamentarians

➢ In a parliamentary system, there is a strict adherence to party discipline. For this reason,
a Member of Parliament cannot, for example, vote against his/her own party’s policy.
The party whip is able to whip errand members of parliament into line. For this reason,
sometimes, members of parliament are not able to take any initiatives of their own.

6. May Drift Into Instability

➢ There is the tendency to drift toward instability. This happens when a vote of no-
confidence is passed in the government by the legislature and it has to resign. In other
words, the government could be removed from power before its actual time is due. This
situation can hinder the implementation of government policies and thus retard
development.

What is Presidential form of government?

➢ The presidential system of government implies that the executive and legislative
branches are separate. It can also imply that their establishment and the time they
remain in power are separate.
➢ The president normally serves as both the head of state and the head of government
and is elected by popular vote.
➢ Examples: USA, Argentina, Brazil, Philippines, South Korea etc.

What are its advantages?

1. Merits of Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances

➢ The mechanism of separation of power enhances the effective performance of each arm
of government in its functions while checks and balances also ensures that a president
who by nature is dictatorial can be brought under constitutional checks. The combination
of the two devises will obviously improve the performance of government as whole and
its capacity for optimal service delivery

2. Quick and decisiveness in Decision-making

 ➢ Not dependent on the advice of cabinet or the approval of legislative for making
policies/decisions
➢ The president is at liberty to either consult his ministers or any of them or refuse to seek
their opinion in taking decisions. The ministers or any other functionaries are mere
advisers to the president, and it is not binding on the president to go along with the
council of ministers, unlike the case under the parliamentary where the prime minister is
always at pains to secure the support of the cabinet, and unanimity of opinions among
its members. This promptness in decision-making therefore makes the response of
government to issues, especially in situations where any delay in acting may be
dangerous.
➢ Example: When former president Duterte has decided to put the island of Mindanao in
martial law because of the continuous conflict between the government forces and
Maute group terrorist in Marawi.

3. Stability and Continuity

➢ The fixed tenure in office enjoyed by a president under the presidential system makes
for the stability of the government and the continuity of policies. A stable government
also allows for both medium- and long-term planning, rather than the instability that
characterizes a parliamentary system of government. A new general election can be
called in a parliamentary system any time a vote of no confidence is passed on the
government. For example, the fixed tenure is 6 years in the context of Philippines.

4. Presidential discretion in Appointments

➢ One major advantage of the presidential system of government is that the President has
a free hand in appointing his ministers and other government appointees. Ministers could
be chosen from outside the president’s party, a situation that confers high degree of
latitude on the president to select the best materials from any part of the country. Since
the bulk stops at his desk, the president can easily replace or fire any of his appointees
because they are directly responsible to him.

5. A single countrywide constituency

➢ refers to an electoral system where the entire country serves as a single electoral district
for the purpose of electing the president.

6. Individual Ministerial Responsibility

➢ Unlike the parliamentary system, which allows a non-performing minister to shelter under
the concept of collective responsibility, the presidential system makes it easier for an
ineffective minister to be identified and singled out for blame or even dismissal. His
dismissal will not affect other ministers or even, in the extreme make a government to
collapse.

What are its disadvantages?

1. Potential for Gridlock

 ➢ Separation of powers can cause delays in the execution of government programmes,
especially in situations where executive-legislative relations are not properly managed.
In less matured democracies of the developing world, this problem is more acute when
different political parties are in control of the executive and the legislature.

2. Prone to Dictatorship

➢ The presidential system is prone to dictatorship or abuse of office, which is dangerous

to the democratic process. This is a result of enormous power that is concentrated in the
office of the president. Presidentialism focuses too much on the personality of the
president and his capacity; and when that individual is undermined the office is
undermine and the system may even be threatened.
➢ Both parliamentary and presidential are prone to dictatorship

3. Lack of flexibility in Tenure of Office

➢ The operation of the presidential system has been criticised for being too rigid and not
amenable to changing circumstances
➢ Even an unpopular government will have to be tolerated till the expiry of the term.

4. Favoritism/ nepotism/corruption on appointment of ministries/ secretaries

➢ Their selection of ministries/secretaries in the cabinets is done on the basis of personal

affiliations/liking and not on political contributions.

Bicameral Vs. Unicameral

The number of chambers in legislatures is a key component of structure. Unicameral and bicameral
chamber structures are the two most popular options.

Unicameral

➢ It came from the Latin words “UNI” (one) and “CAMERA” (chambers).
➢ A unicameral legislature has only one chamber, or body, that makes decisions.
➢ Refers to a system where there is only one chamber in the legislature body.

Bicameral

➢ It came from the Latin words “BI” (two) and “CAMERA” (chambers).
➢ A bicameral legislature has two chambers, often with different procedures and powers,
that ultimately must work together to make policy and exercise other legislative powers
and responsibilities.
➢ Refers to a system with two chambers in the legislature body.

Advantages of Unicameral Legislature

1. Streamlined and Less Bureaucratic

 ➢ One of the main strengths of unicameral legislatures is that they create a more efficient legislative
process. In a unicameral legislature, bills only need to go before and be debated by one set of
decision makers.

2. Less Expensive

➢ Since there is only one chamber to pass the bill, it will lead to fewer representatives to pay and
fewer facilities to maintain.

Disadvantages of Unicameral Legislature

1. The simplicity ➢ Unicameral systems do not lend

2. Without the check and balances themselves to oversight and
checks on the power of the
legislature.
Advantages of Bicameral Legislature

1. Division of Responsibility of two chambers

2. Different Perspectives
The Division serves as a check and balance, helping to
• ONE (Upper) – Making laws ensure that laws are made in a fair and balanced manner.
• TWO (Lower) - Review the laws
Different Perspectives: It will help to ensure that views are
represented when making laws.

Disadvantages of Bicameral Legislature

1. Complicated and bureaucratic

The legislative process is inefficient. After a bill has been investigated,
2. Time consuming
debated, and voted on in one chamber, it must go to a second chamber
3. Complex and complete the whole process again. This can both significantly extend
the time it takes for a piece of legislation to pass and dramatically raise the
odds that a piece of legislation will die before it gets to a vote, as at every
stage along the way there are two sets of decision-makers who can choose
not to proceed with a piece of legislation. Also, it can suffer from gridlock
when different parties hold the majority in each chamber, particularly when
the two parties in charge have significant policy and ideological
disagreements.

Philippine Congress History

The Philippine legislative system has undergone a series of evolutions that reflected the sociopolitical
conditions of the times and the level of political maturity of society.

(UNICAMERAL) 1898 - It began with the unicameral Malolos Congress of the short-lived Philippine
Republic of 1898-1899.
(BICAMERAL) 1916 - It evolved into a bicameral, predominantly elective, Filipino-controlled legislature
by virtue of the Jones Act of 1916 and lasted until November 1935, when the semi-independent
Commonwealth Government was inaugurated.

(UNICAMERAL) 1935 – A unicameral National Assembly replaced the bicameral body after the 1935
Philippine Constitution was ratified.

(BICAMERAL) 1941 - The Constitution was amended, again restoring the bicameral legislature that came
to be called the Congress of the Philippines.

(UNICAMERAL) - When martial law was declared, the Constitutional Convention, by virtue of an Act of
Congress in 1971, was in the process of drafting a new Constitution. The final draft was adopted by the
Convention on November 29, 1972. This was ratified and proclaimed by President Marcos on January
17, 1973, amidst widespread protest and controversy. With the proclamation of a new Constitution, the
presidential form of government was changed to a modified parliamentary form. Congress was abolished
and replaced by an elected unicameral National Assembly, known as Batasang Pambansa.

(BICAMERAL AS OF NOW) - 1986 EDSA Revolution: The world-famed bloodless coup of February 22–
25, 1986, ushered in a new political regime. President Corazon Aquino, backed by a coalition of forces
from both ends of the political spectrum, forged a new government, triggering a chain of events that
dramatically changed the political landscape of the country and signaled the rebirth of democracy. These
political changes were: the abolition of the Batasang Pambansa following the proclamation of a new
revolutionary government; the organization of a Constitutional Commission that drafted a new charter,
which, in turn, was ratified in February 1987; the rebirth of the old bicameral system; and the election of
Members to the new Congress.
References:

ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES OF PRESIDENTIAL SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT.

(n.d.). Retrieved February 25, 2024, from

https://www.shivajicollege.ac.in/sPanel/uploads/econtent/6a6d4a

640d926b328ac2d8d9cc6c0c33.pdf

Chapter 27: Comparing Systems of Government. (n.d.). Retrieved

February 25, 2024, from https://www.lcps.org/cms/lib/VA01000195

/Centricity/Domain/2072/chap27.pdf

https://openstax.org/books/introduction-political-science/pages/9-3-what-is-the-difference-between-

unicameral-and-bicameral-systems

https://followmyvote.com/parliamentary-government/

https://nigerianscholars.com/tutorials/structure-and-systems-of-government/disadvantages-of-

parliamentary-system/

https://www.iilsindia.com/blogs/an-analysis-of-the-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-parliamentary-

and-presidential-forms-of-government/