Parliament

Overview of Parliamentarism: Parliamentary Democracy

What is Parliamentary Democracy?

A parliamentary system, or parliamentarism, is distinguished by the executive branch of government being dependent on the direct or indirect support of the parliament, often expressed through a vote of confidence. Hence, there is no clear-cut separation of powers between the legislative and executive branches of government. Parliamentary systems usually have a clear differentiation between the head of government and the head of state.

The term parliamentary system does not mean that a country is ruled by different parties in coalition with each other. Such multi-party arrangements are usually the product of a voting system known as proportional representation. Parliamentary nations that use first past the post voting usually have governments composed of one party. The exception to this is when the governing party has fewer seats than the opposition parties combined, a situation known as a minority government. In such instances, the governing party may enter into an agreement with one of the other parties in order to ensure the government will stay in power for more than a few months.

The executive is typically a cabinet, and headed by a prime minister who is considered the head of government. The prime minister and the ministers of the cabinet typically have their background in the parliament and may remain members thereof while serving in cabinet. The leader of the leading party, or group of parties, in the parliament is often appointed as the prime minister.

In many countries, the cabinet, or single members thereof, can be removed by the parliament through a vote of no confidence. In addition, the executive can often dissolve the parliament and call extra-ordinary elections.

Under the parliamentary system the roles of head of state and head of government are more or less separated. In most parliamentary systems, the head of state is primarily a ceremonial position, often a monarch or president, retaining duties that aren't politically divisive, such as appointments of civil service.

In many parliamentary systems, the head of state may have reserve powers which are usable in a crisis. In most cases however, such powers are (either by convention or by constitutional rule) only exercised upon the advice and approval of the head of government.

Parliamentary systems vary as to the degree to which they have a formal written constitution and the degree to which that constitution describes the day to day working of the government. They also vary as to the number of parties within the system and the dynamics between the parties. Also, relations between the central government and local governments vary in parliamentary systems, they may be federal or unitary states. Parliamentary systems also vary in the voting freedom allowed back bench legislators.

Parliamentarism may also be heeded for governance in local governments. An example is the city of Oslo, which has an executive council as part of a parliamentary system.

Parliamentary Democracy in Canada

Canada is a parliamentary democracy. This means that our political system is based on the idea that Parliament is supreme, or sovereign.

Canadians choose representatives at regular elections. These representatives are responsible for a number of functions:

1. the formation of the government. This is achieved by majority vote in the lower house, the House of Commons.
2. the passage of legislation (the laws of the nation) by majority vote of the Parliament.
3. the scrutiny and monitoring of the executive government, the public service and other authorities and institutions created by Parliament. Most importantly, this scrutiny extends to monitoring the expenditure of public (taxpayers') money.

Canada's parliamentary democracy is a variation of the Westminster system, the system that is characterised by responsible government.