What is Parliamentary System?
Historical Background
The parliamentary system evolved in Great Britain over centuries. Its roots can be traced back to the Magna Carta in 1215, which limited the power of the monarch. The gradual development of Parliament, especially the House of Commons, led to increased representation and power for the people.
The concept of ministerial responsibility, where ministers are accountable to Parliament, became established over time. The 1688 Glorious Revolution further solidified parliamentary supremacy. The British model then influenced the development of parliamentary systems in other countries, including former colonies like India.
The system was adopted because it was seen as a way to ensure accountability and prevent the concentration of power in one individual or branch of government. Over time, different countries have adapted the parliamentary system to suit their own specific needs and circumstances.
Key Points
12 points- 1.
The head of state (President or Monarch) is largely ceremonial, while the real executive power is held by the Prime Minister and the cabinet.
- 2.
The Prime Minister is usually the leader of the majority party or a coalition of parties in the legislature.
- 3.
The executive branch (cabinet) is collectively responsible to the legislature. This means the cabinet must maintain the confidence of the legislature to stay in power.
- 4.
A vote of no-confidence can be initiated by the legislature to remove the government from power.
- 5.
The legislature can be dissolved by the head of state (on the advice of the Prime Minister), leading to new elections.
- 6.
There is a fusion of powers between the legislative and executive branches, as members of the executive are also members of the legislature.
- 7.
The principle of ministerial responsibility ensures that ministers are accountable for the actions of their departments.
- 8.
The opposition party plays a crucial role in holding the government accountable and providing alternative policy proposals.
- 9.
Coalition governments are common in parliamentary systems, requiring parties to compromise and work together.
- 10.
The electoral system can significantly impact the stability and composition of the government. Different systems like proportional representation can lead to different outcomes.
- 11.
Judicial review exists, but the parliament is supreme in law-making.
- 12.
The head of state can have reserve powers to act in certain situations, such as a constitutional crisis.
Visual Insights
Key Aspects of the Parliamentary System
Mind map illustrating the key features and functions of a parliamentary system.
Parliamentary System
- ●Executive-Legislature Fusion
- ●Collective Responsibility
- ●Nominal vs. Real Head
- ●Role of Opposition
Evolution of the Parliamentary System in India
Timeline showing the key events in the evolution of the parliamentary system in India.
The parliamentary system in India evolved through various stages, drawing inspiration from the British model but adapting to the Indian context.
- 1919Government of India Act introduces Dyarchy
- 1935Government of India Act expands provincial autonomy
- 1947India gains Independence and adopts Parliamentary System
- 1950Constitution of India comes into force, establishing Parliamentary System
- 1975-1977Emergency period - impact on parliamentary democracy
- 1989Rise of coalition politics
- 2023Increased disruptions in Parliament
- 2026Bangladesh Opposition Set to Challenge BNP's Dominance in Parliament
Recent Developments
7 developmentsIncreased scrutiny of the role of coalition governments and their stability in various countries (2023).
Debates surrounding electoral reforms to make parliamentary systems more representative.
Growing concerns about the influence of money and special interests in parliamentary elections.
Supreme Court judgments clarifying the powers of the head of state in dissolving parliament in specific contexts.
Rise of populist movements challenging established parliamentary norms and practices.
Increased use of technology and social media in parliamentary elections and political discourse (2024).
Discussions on reforming parliamentary procedures to improve efficiency and transparency.
This Concept in News
3 topicsBangladesh Opposition Set to Challenge BNP's Dominance in Parliament
16 Feb 2026This news highlights the practical application of the Parliamentary System's principles. The anticipated robust debate demonstrates the system's intended function of providing a platform for diverse viewpoints. The opposition's challenge to the ruling party showcases the check-and-balance mechanism inherent in the system. The news reveals that even with a dominant party, the opposition can still play a significant role in shaping the political discourse and influencing policy. Understanding the Parliamentary System is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides the framework for interpreting the actions and motivations of the different political actors. Without this understanding, it would be difficult to grasp the significance of the opposition's role or the potential impact of the debates on governance and constitutional reform. The news underscores that a parliamentary system's success depends not only on the ruling party's strength but also on the effectiveness of the opposition and the quality of parliamentary debates.
Bangladesh Nationalist Party Secures Landslide Victory; Rahman Set to be PM
14 Feb 2026The news of the BNP's victory in Bangladesh underscores the practical application of the parliamentary system. (1) It demonstrates how elections in a parliamentary democracy lead to the formation of a government based on majority support in the legislature. (2) The news event applies the concept of parliamentary supremacy, where the elected representatives hold the power to choose the executive. (3) This news reveals the dynamic nature of political power in a parliamentary system, where governments can change based on electoral outcomes. (4) The implications of this news for the concept's future are that it reinforces the importance of free and fair elections in ensuring the legitimacy of a parliamentary government. (5) Understanding the parliamentary system is crucial for properly analyzing and answering questions about this news because it provides the framework for understanding how the government will be formed, how it will function, and how it will be held accountable.
Japan's First Female Prime Minister Poised for Landslide Victory
9 Feb 2026This news highlights the practical application of the parliamentary system in Japan. (1) It demonstrates how the leader of the dominant party, the LDP, is positioned to become the Prime Minister, showcasing the link between parliamentary majority and executive power. (2) Takaichi's policies, such as her emphasis on security and tax cuts, will likely be implemented because her party is expected to control the parliament. This illustrates the executive's dependence on legislative support. (3) The news reveals the potential for policy shifts and international relations changes under a new leader within the existing parliamentary framework. (4) The implications include potential changes in Japan's foreign policy, economic strategy, and domestic priorities. (5) Understanding the parliamentary system is crucial for analyzing this news because it explains how Takaichi's victory translates into actual governing power and policy implementation. Without this understanding, the significance of the election results and their potential impact would be unclear.
Source Topic
Bangladesh Opposition Set to Challenge BNP's Dominance in Parliament
Polity & GovernanceUPSC Relevance
The parliamentary system is a crucial topic for the UPSC exam, particularly for GS-2 (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations). Questions are frequently asked about the features, advantages, disadvantages, and evolution of parliamentary systems. In Prelims, factual questions about specific articles or features can appear.
In Mains, analytical questions comparing parliamentary and presidential systems, or evaluating the effectiveness of the parliamentary system in a particular country, are common. Recent years have seen questions on the role of the Speaker, anti-defection law, and the challenges faced by parliamentary democracy. For the Essay paper, topics related to democracy, governance, and constitutionalism often require an understanding of the parliamentary system.
Tips: Focus on understanding the underlying principles and comparing different models. Use examples to illustrate your points.