Question

What is parliamentary democracy?

Answer 1

Answer:

In 1885, the Indian National Congress Party demanded that we should have elected representatives to be a part of the British administration; which finally led to the establishment of a Parliamentary Democracy. The number of Indians employed by the British administration grew over time. In the Indian Parliament, a parliamentary representative represents the interests and aspirations of the people in their constituency (Lok Sabha). Their responsibilities include approving and monitoring the government’s proposed revenues and expenditures.

Features of the parliamentary system

• The Prime Minister along with the Council of Ministers forms the executive and the Parliament is the legislature. The PM and the ministers are elected from the members of parliament, implying that the executive emerges out of the legislature.
• The executive is responsible to the legislature. There is a collective responsibility, that is, each minister’s responsibility is the responsibility of the whole Council.
• There are two executives – the real executive and the titular executive. The nominal executive is the head of state (president or monarch) while the real executive is the Prime Minister, who is the head of government.
• A prerequisite of this form of government is that cabinet proceedings are secret and not meant to be divulged to the public.
• The leader of this form of government is the Prime Minister. Generally, the leader of the party that wins a majority in the lower house is appointed as the PM.
• Most parliamentary democracies follow a bicameral legislature.
• The term of the government depends on its majority support in the lower house. If the government does not win a vote of no confidence, the council of ministers has to resign. Elections will be held and a new government is formed.

Functions of the Parliament

• The major functions of the Parliament can be classified under several heads like legislative, executive, judicial, electoral, etc.
• The Parliament makes laws for the whole country. It can also amend the Constitution and reject/change draft laws.
• A bill becomes a law after it is passed by both Houses of Parliament and receives presidential assent.