THE CASE FOR A MULTI-PARTY U.S. PARLIAMENT?

SAMSODIN B. OMAR

BA-POLSC 2

POL SC 3: INTRO TO COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

MARCH 22, 2016

N103, MISAMIS UNIVERSITY

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

The audience will be able to:

Define the Parliamentary form of Government.

Differentiate the Head of the State and Head of the Government.

To assess one, two, and multi-party systems of the Government.

Enumerate the cases for a multi-party U.S. parliament.

OUTLINE

I. IntroductionII. Parliamentary System of the GovernmentIII. Head of the State vs Head of the GovernmentIV. One-party vs. Two-party vs. Multi-party SystemsV. Two Political Parties in United StatesVI. Cases for a Multi-Party U.S. Parliament

I. Impeachment: Head of the State vs. Head of the GovernmentII. Political Accountability: Divided Government & “Safe Seats”III. Permanent and Expensive CampaignsIV. Low Voter Turnout?

VII.ConclusionVIII.References

MATERIAL USED

INTRODUCTION

There is a considerable disconnect between the American people and their current government. Christopher S. Allen points out several problems the American political system faces. These problems include: low voting rates, outrageous campaigning costs, and the decline in accountability. Allen suggests the answer to such problems is a plural party parliament in America. Moreover, Allen lists four issues which exist in the American Presidential/majority form of government.

The first issue deals with impeachment. In the presidential system there is no distinction between head of state and head of government because the title is held by one person (the President of the United States). As a result when scandal breaks out a president may use one title as opposed to the other to protect from scrutiny (i.e. possible impeachment). And this would be followed by certain major aspects that would be tackle after this slide.

PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM OF GOV’T

A system of democratic governance of a state in which the executive branch

derives its democratic legitimacy from, and is held accountable to, the legislature

(parliament); the executive and legislative branches are thus interconnected.

HEAD OF THE STATE VS. HEAD OF THE GOVERNMENT

Head of the State Head of the GovernmentThe most powerful person in government hierarchy of command and power.

Head of government denotes the second highest official person in the government hierarchy after head of state.

Represents the whole state. Represents a specific province or in some cases is considered as the second or vice head of state.

Either he is president or prime minister enjoys more power and authorities.

Enjoys lesser power and authorities.

Can be head of government as well as in case of kingdom and dictatorial government.

Lies below the head of state in case of public government.

ONE-PARTY VS. TWO-PARTY VS. MULTI-PARTY SYSTEMS

One-party System

Multi-party System

Two-party System

VSTWO PARTIES IN U.S.

DEMOCRATIC

REPUBLICAN

MAJOR ASPECTS

History

Tax Policy

Labor and Free Trade

Health Care

Education

OTHER ISSUES

CASES FOR A MULTI-PARTY U.S. PARLIAMENT.

Low Voter Turnout?Permanent and Expensive

Campaigns

Political Accountability: Divided Government & “Safe

Seats”

Impeachment: Head of State vs Head of Government.

IMPEACHMENT: HEAD OF THE STATE VS. HEAD OF THE GOV’T

The portrayal of the Clinton impeachment and trial is characterized as historic.

Fusion of functions.

TOWARD A POLITICALLY ACCOUNTABLE PRIME MINISTER AND A CEREMONIAL PRESIDENT.

Prime Ministers, unlike US presidents, are seen much more

as active politicians and not remote inaccessible figures.

A parliamentary system with a separate head of the state and head of gov’t would produce

two “ executive” offices instead of just one.

POLITICAL ACCOUNTABILITY: DIVIDED GOVERNMENT & “SAFE SEATS”.

Safe Seats. Divided Government.

Fundamental change in the relationship between the Presidents and Congress.

POLITICAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND THE FUSION OF GOV’T.

FUSION OF POWER SYSTEM

PERMANENT AND EXPENSIVE CAMPAIGNS.

TIME & MONEY as a

TWIN PROBLEMS.

LOW VOTER TURN-OUT?

Voter Contentment.Voter discouragement.

The role of Television.Registration requirements.

CONCLUSION

Parliamentary government is a democratic form of government in which the political party that wins the most seats in the legislature or parliament during the federal election forms the government. This majority party chooses a leader to be the Prime Minister or Chancellor, and other high-ranking members of the party make up the cabinet. The minority party forms the opposition, and its job is to challenge the majority party. If no party is able to win a majority in the election, a coalition government will be formed with a few political parties cooperating together.

An American parliamentary system could be a great way to fix dire issues in this country. However, the idea of an American Parliament will not sound good to some Americans. It would be difficult to reform the head of government and head of state as well as government division. Reason being, the basis of head of state, head of government, and divided government are related to the constitution. Furthermore, individualism is embedded in American culture. In particular, single member districts represent a form of individualism which Americans hold dear to themselves.

REFERENCESBOOK:

Yap, F., 2010. The Case for a Multi-party U.S. Parliament?. McGraw Hill: USA.WEBSITES:http://www.hank-edmondson.com/compgov/mccready-29.htmlhttps://www.google.com.ph/?gfe_rd=cr&ei=BuzvVpKSB5qT9QX3mqTQDA&gws_rd=ssl#q=definition+of+parliamentary+system+of+governmenthttp://study.com/academy/lesson/parliamentary-government-definition-examples-advantages-disadvantages.htmlhttp://www.differencebtw.com/difference-between-head-of-state-and-head-of-government/http://www.enotes.com/homework-help/multiparty-systems-necessarily-more-161739http://study.com/academy/lesson/two-party-multi-party-systems-similarities-differences.htmlhttp://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-multiparty-system-239639https://www.google.com.ph/?gfe_rd=cr&ei=j_XvVuzrM9bC0ATB6YGADA&gws_rd=ssl#q=example+of+multi+party+system