Parliamentary Form of Government, History, Advantages, Disadvantages

A Parliamentary Form of Government is a form of democracy in which the political party that wins the most seats in a national election forms the ruling government. In this system, the executive is drawn from the legislature and is accountable to it. India follows a parliamentary system similar to that of the United Kingdom.

In a parliamentary system, there is a close relationship between the executive and legislative branches, with the executive being dependent on the confidence of the legislature. This arrangement ensures greater accountability and makes the Parliament the central institution of governance.

Parliamentary Form of Government History

Since ancient times, councils of headmen, whose decisions were guided by village elders, existed in tribal societies. These early consultative bodies gradually evolved into modern parliamentary institutions. In 1188, King Alfonso IX of León (Spain) convened the Cortes of León, considered one of Europe’s first parliaments. A proto-parliamentary system also emerged during the Dutch Revolt (1581), when the States-General assumed power from King Philip II of Spain. The modern parliamentary framework developed in the United Kingdom (1707-1800) and Sweden (1721-1772), gaining broader acceptance across Europe after World War I.

• Adoption in the Indian Constitution: India adopted the parliamentary system from Britain after thorough deliberations. During the Constituent Assembly debates, different models including Presidential and Parliamentary systems were discussed. The parliamentary model was preferred for its capacity to provide strong leadership while ensuring accountability to the elected legislature.
• Notable Opinions

• • Professor K. T. Shah emphasized that parliamentary government connects the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary effectively.
  • Shri K. Hanumanthaiya argued that the parliamentary system was better suited to India’s needs than a Presidential system.

Parliamentary Form of Government Features

• Real and Nominal Executives: The President acts as the formal or nominal executive, while the Prime Minister serves as the actual (de facto) executive. In this arrangement, the President represents the State, whereas the Prime Minister runs the government’s day-to-day affairs.
• Dual Membership: The executive (Prime Minister and Council of Ministers) is drawn from the legislature (Parliament). Members of Parliament elect the Prime Minister and other cabinet ministers, linking the executive and legislative branches closely.
• Collective Responsibility: The Council of Ministers is collectively accountable to the legislature. This principle ensures that all ministers share responsibility for government policies and decisions, even if individual ministers are directly responsible for their departments.
• Secret Procedure: Cabinet discussions and deliberations are conducted in private and are not disclosed publicly, allowing for open and candid decision-making among ministers.
• Leadership under the Prime Minister: The Prime Minister heads the government and exercises leadership over the Council of Ministers, guiding policy and administration.
• Majority Party Rule: The Prime Minister is usually the leader of the party that holds a majority in the lower house of the legislature, ensuring stability and alignment between the executive and legislative branches.
• Bicameral Legislature: Most parliamentary democracies have a bicameral legislature, consisting of two chambers, typically an upper house and a lower house, which provide checks and balances on lawmaking.
• Political Homogeneity: Members of the Council of Ministers usually share similar political ideologies, as they belong to the same party. In coalition governments, ministers are bound by coalition agreements to maintain unity.
• No Fixed Term: The government’s tenure depends on maintaining the confidence of the lower house. If a motion of no-confidence succeeds, the Council of Ministers must resign, triggering elections and the formation of a new government.

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Parliamentary Form of Government Constitutional Provision

The Indian Constitution contains specific provisions that establish and support the parliamentary system of governance at both the central and state levels. The following table summarizes the key articles, their scope, and the way they define the roles, responsibilities, and accountability of the executive in relation to the legislature.

Parliamentary Form of Government Advantages

The Parliamentary Form of Government Advantages that contribute to effective governance and political stability. Its structure ensures cooperation between branches, accountability of the executive, prevention of despotism, and broad representation of diverse interests. The key merits are summarized below.

Parliamentary Form of Government Disadvantages

While the Parliamentary Form of Government has several advantages, it is not without shortcomings. Certain structural and political factors can lead to instability, inefficiency, and limited accountability. The key demerits are summarized below.

Parliamentary Form of Government vs Presidential Form of Government

The Parliamentary Form of Government and Presidential Form of Government are two prominent forms of democratic governance. While both aim to uphold democracy, they differ significantly in structure, powers, and functioning. The table below highlights the key Differences Between the Parliamentary Form of Government and the Presidential Form of Government in India.