Presidential system of Government

Definition of Presidential System of Government

The presidential system of government is a system of government in which there is an executive president who is vested with all executive powers and who combines the office of head of state and head of government.

The president is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces and combined the executive functions and ceremonial duties. He also appoints members of his cabinet who are not members of the parliament. Nigeria and U.S.A are good examples of  countries practicing presidential system of government. The president can be removed from office through the process of impeachment.

EVALUATION

1. What is presidential system of government?
2. Identify two states in the world practicing presidential system of government.

Characteristics of Presidential System of Government

The following are the characteristics of the presidential system of government:

1. In a presidential system of government, the President is both the head of state and head of government.
2. The principle of separation of powers is operational in presidential system of government.
3. The President and his ministers are not members of the parliament.
4. The principle of checks and balances is applicable in presidential system of government.
5. The constitution is supreme in a presidential system.
6. The tenure of office of the President is limited to a fixed term.
7. The ministers are responsible to the President not the legislature.
8. The President has power to dismiss any member of his cabinet at anytime.
9. The President has powers to pardon prisoners, appointment of judges to the supreme court, assenting to bills passed by the legislature etc.
10. The President is responsible to the constitution and not to the legislatures.

Resource Control in a Presidential System of Government

Resource control in a presidential system of government is located in the National Assembly and the Presidency. The National Assembly members have the power to determine and recommend control of the state’s resources to the president. The president too has the responsibility of endorsing the recommendations of the National Assembly.

EVALUATION

1. State six characteristic of presidential system of government.
2. Explain resource control in presidential system of government.

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Presidential System of Government

Advantages or Merits of the Presidential System of Government

1. Separation of Powers: There is clear separation of powers among the three organs of government which prevent misuse of power.
2. Checks and Balances:Checks and balances among the three organs of government prevent tyranny and abuse of power.
3. Fixed Tenure of Office:The president’s fixed term of office enables him to give full time to the pursuit of state duties during his tenure.
4. Absence of Collective Responsibility: In the presidential system of government every individual is accountable for his acts which may lead to his own resignation and not the entire cabinet.
5. Absence of Conflict:The fusion of the positions of the head of state and the head of government in the President removes possible conflict between the two as it happens in the cabinet system.
6. Easy to Apportion Blame:The system makes it possible to easily apportion blame to any organ or arm of government that fails in the performance of its functions because of the absence of fusion of powers.
7. Power to Discipline:The president has the power to discipline erring members of his government, especially the ministers.
8. Proper Use of Talents:In as much as the president has the right to choose members of his cabinet from anywhere, he chooses the best talents for his government.

Disadvantages or Demerits of the Presidential System of Government

1. It May Breed Dictators: Since power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely, over concentration of powers in the president can make him a dictator.
2. Expensive to Run: As a result of non fusion of the executive and the legislature this makes the system too expensive to operate.
3. Itis Difficult to Control the President: This is as a result of the fact that he is not responsible to the parliament; he can refuse to implement laws made by the legislature because he cannot be easily removed from the office.
4. Lobby: Lobbying leads to bribe and bride to corruption and this is one of the elements used in presidential system of government by the president to the legislators in order to initiate a bill.
5. Frequent Friction: There is always friction between the executive and the legislature as a result of the separation of the two arms of government.
6. The power of the president to appoint anyone as a minister can encourage him to appoint his relatives or close friends. Those appointed may not be competent to perform the job.

Checks and Limitations on the Powers of the Executive President

To prevent abuse of power or excessive power, the powers of the Executive President in a presidential system of government are checked in the following ways:

1. His term of office is limited constitutionally and he can be voted out of office at the end of his tenure.
2. The president can be impeached by the National Assembly especially for breach of the constitution.
3. If he refuses to assent to a bill, the National Assembly can thereafter pass it into law by two thirds majority.
4. The National Assembly must approve all the list of members of his cabinet.
5. The supreme court can declare as null and void any unconstitutional action of the president

The Principle of Individual Responsibility in the Presidential System of Government

This is a popular principle in a presidential system of government. A minister appointed by the president is individually held responsible for any decision made or taken in his department or ministry. Therefore, the minister has both constitutional and political responsibilities for the department he or she is in charge of. It is worthy to note that the president has the veto power to dismiss any minister that is not performing up to expectation or demands of his office.

EVALUATION

1. Highlight any five merits of presidential system of government.
2. Identify any five demerits of presidential system of government.

GENERAL EVALUATION

1. How are resources controlled in a presidential system?
2. Outline five characteristics of presidential system of government.
3. State five merits of presidential system of government.
4. Identify five demerits of presidential system of government.
5. What is presidential system of government?