What is Parliamentary System?

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Grade Level:

Class 12

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Definition

What is it?

The Parliamentary System is a form of government where the executive branch (the government) gets its democratic legitimacy from the legislative branch (the Parliament) and is accountable to it. In this system, the head of government (like a Prime Minister in India) is usually the leader of the political party or coalition with the most seats in the Parliament.

Simple Example

Quick Example

Imagine your school has a student council. If the head student (like a Prime Minister) is chosen from the group of students who won the most votes in the council election, and that head student and their team (the government) must report to the whole council (the Parliament) about their decisions, that's similar to a parliamentary system. If the council loses trust in the head student, they can ask them to step down.

Worked Example

Step-by-Step

Let's see how a government is formed in a simplified parliamentary system like India's:

1. **Elections are held:** People vote for candidates in different areas (constituencies) to become Members of Parliament (MPs).
---2. **Party wins majority:** Suppose Party A wins 300 out of 500 total seats. This is more than half, so Party A has a 'majority'.
---3. **Leader becomes Prime Minister:** The leader of Party A is then invited to form the government and becomes the Prime Minister.
---4. **Cabinet is formed:** The Prime Minister chooses other MPs from Party A to be ministers (e.g., Finance Minister, Education Minister).
---5. **Accountability to Parliament:** This new government (Prime Minister and ministers) must answer questions and seek approval from all 500 MPs in Parliament for new laws or budgets.
---6. **Trust Vote:** If the government loses the 'confidence' or 'trust' of the majority of MPs (e.g., if 251 or more MPs vote against them on a key issue), the government might have to resign.

ANSWER: The government is formed by the party with the majority in Parliament and remains accountable to it.

Why It Matters

Understanding the Parliamentary System is crucial for anyone interested in how countries are run, from policy-making to economic decisions. It's fundamental for careers in Law, Economics, Public Administration, and even for citizens who want to make informed voting choices. Knowing this helps you understand news about government policies and elections.

Common Mistakes

MISTAKE: Thinking the President is the head of government in India. | CORRECTION: In India's parliamentary system, the Prime Minister is the head of government, holding real executive power. The President is the ceremonial Head of State.

MISTAKE: Believing the executive (government) is completely separate from the legislature (Parliament). | CORRECTION: In a parliamentary system, the executive is drawn from and remains accountable to the legislature, meaning ministers are usually also MPs.

MISTAKE: Confusing the parliamentary system with a presidential system where the President is directly elected by people. | CORRECTION: In a parliamentary system, people vote for MPs, and the MPs then indirectly choose the head of government (PM). In a presidential system, the President is directly elected.

Practice Questions

Try It Yourself

QUESTION: Which branch of government does the executive in a parliamentary system get its legitimacy from? | ANSWER: Legislative branch (Parliament)

QUESTION: If a political party wins 280 out of 543 seats in the Lok Sabha, can it form the government on its own? Explain why. | ANSWER: Yes. A party needs 272 seats (more than half of 543) to form a majority government. 280 seats is more than 272, so it can form the government.

QUESTION: In India, who is the head of the government and who is the head of the state? Briefly describe their roles in the parliamentary system. | ANSWER: The Prime Minister is the head of government (holds real executive power, leads the cabinet). The President is the head of state (a ceremonial role, acts on the advice of the Prime Minister and cabinet).

MCQ

Quick Quiz

In a parliamentary system, who typically leads the government?

The President, directly elected by the people

The Prime Minister, usually the leader of the majority party in Parliament

The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

The Speaker of the Parliament

The Correct Answer Is:

In a parliamentary system, the Prime Minister is the head of government and is typically the leader of the party or coalition that holds the majority of seats in the Parliament. The President is usually a ceremonial head of state, while the Chief Justice leads the judiciary and the Speaker presides over Parliament.

Real World Connection

In the Real World

Every time you hear about the Indian Prime Minister announcing a new scheme, like 'Make in India' or 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan', or presenting the Union Budget, you are seeing the Parliamentary System in action. These decisions are made by the executive (PM and Cabinet) but must be discussed, debated, and often approved by the Members of Parliament in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, representing the will of the people.

Key Vocabulary

Key Terms

EXECUTIVE: The branch of government responsible for implementing laws and policies, led by the Prime Minister in a parliamentary system. | LEGISLATURE: The branch of government responsible for making laws, also known as Parliament. | ACCOUNTABILITY: The obligation of the government to explain and justify its actions to the Parliament. | MAJORITY PARTY: The political party that wins more than half of the seats in the legislature, allowing it to form the government. | HEAD OF STATE: The ceremonial head of a country, like the President in India, with limited executive powers.

What's Next

What to Learn Next

Now that you understand the Parliamentary System, you can explore the 'Presidential System' to compare how these two major forms of government differ. This will help you appreciate the unique features of India's governance structure even better!