Session 9 - Parliamentary vs Presidential System

The major difference between Presidential and parliamentary system is that in a former system, the executive leader, the President, is directly voted upon by the people through a committee elected solely for the purpose of electing the president. This committee has no other purpose. Whereas the executive leader of the latter system, the Prime Minister, is elected from the legislative branch directly.

In the Presidential System, it is more difficult to enact legislation, especially in the event that the President has different views than the legislative body. The President only responds to the people, the legislative branch can't really do anything to threaten the President. As a result, he can make it more difficult for the legislative body to do anything. Hence legislative branch has limited control and freedom.

In the Parliamentary system, if the Parliament doesn't like the Prime Minister, they can cast a vote of no confidence and replace him. This tends to make the executive leader subordinate to or dependent on the Parliament.

So basically it depends on the approach and difference of viewpoints.  If you believe that government should have more checks and balances, then a Presidential system will give you that. If you believe that it should have the power to pass laws quickly, then you should opt Parliamentary system.