Most national legislatures around the world operate under parliamentary systems that are very different from the U.S. government under which Congress operates. Parliamentary governments separate the ceremonial head of state (the king, queen, or president) from the political head of government (the prime minister or premier). Though most parliaments have two chambers, the upper body, such as the British House of Lords, may be hereditary (members inherit their seat from family members) rather than elected and is usually very limited in its powers. The popularly elected lower house, such as the British House of Commons, holds the real legislative power.
The majority party in the lower house elects the prime minister, who appoints cabinet secretaries from among other members of the parliamentary majority. The leader of the opposition party appoints a “shadow” cabinet as a counterpart to promote the minority party's interests. If the prime minister's party loses its majority through the death, resignation, or defection of some of its members, or if it loses on a major issue, then new parliamentary elections are held. The British Parliament also developed the “vote of confidence” procedure by which members of the majority party are called to stand in a new election with their prime minister. A prime minister who loses a vote of confidence will call for a new election. Party loyalty and regularity are therefore essential in parliamentary governments. In parliamentary systems where the major parties are unable to win a clear majority, they must enter into coalitions with one or more minor parties or hold new elections.
The legislative chambers of parliamentary governments even look unlike the Congress. U.S. senators and representatives sit in semicircular rows facing the presiding officer, with the center aisle separating the parties. By contrast, in the British House of Commons and many other similar legislatures, members of Parliament (MPs) sit with opposing parties facing each other. On key issues, MPs line up to vote (a procedure called a division). Those who choose not to vote with their party must walk to the other side, a physical act that requires considerable political courage. Party defections are therefore much more rare in a parliamentary government than in Congress, where members feel free to vote according to their conscience and are not bound to follow their party's leaders.
Parliamentary governments usually feature a question period when members may address questions directly to the prime minister and cabinet secretaries, who appear personally in the chamber to respond. The U.S. Congress cannot call the President to answer such questions, but congressional committees regularly call upon cabinet secretaries to testify.
Parliamentary systems offer efficient and effective leadership under majority rule, but they also diminish minority rights. In nations where one party holds the overwhelming majority, this situation can foster a “tyranny of the majority” and “constitutional dictatorship.” The U.S. system of separation of powers and of checks and balances is less efficient, but it is deliberately so, to prevent the development of arbitrary power.
Sources
- Richard M. Pious, “A Prime Minister for America?”
Constitution 4 (Fall 1992): 4–12
