State the characteristic features of the cabinet system that distinguish it from the presidential system.
Explanation
The following are the features of the cabinet system that distinguish it from the presidential system:
(i)The Prime Minister is the Head of government and the Queen or President is the Head of state.
(ii) The powers of the Head of state are mainly ceremonial.
(iii)The Prime Minister is in charge of the governance of the country. So, he exercises executive powers.
(iv)The Prime Minister and his cabinet members are equally members of the legislature, because they are chosen or drawn from it (parliament).
(v) Separation of powers in this system is not pronounced. The executive and legislative arms of government are fused.
(vi).The authority exercised by the executive is derivable from the parliament, making it responsible to the legislature.
(vii) The Prime Minister is the chairman of all cabinet meetings.
(viii) The party with a majority of seats in parliament controls the executive as well as the legislature.
(ix) The Prime Minister and his cabinet are chosen from the party with a majority of seats in the parliament.
(x) The principle of collective responsibility is in operation in the system.
(xi) The Prime Minister selects his ministers from his party and can equally dismiss them.
(xii) The opposition party in parliament is officially recognised.
(xiii) This system allows the Prime Minister to be controlled by his party.
(xiv) The Prime Minister is the leader of his party in power.
(xv) Only one election is conducted in the system to choose both the members of the legislature and the executive.
(xvi) The Parliament can initiate or pass a vote of no confidence in the executive, thereby forcing the Prime Minister and cabinet members to step down or resign.
(xvii) The failure of any party to win the election by absolute majority may give rise to the formation of a coalition government.
(xviii)The enviable position occupied by the Prime Minister makes him to be regarded as “Primes inter pares,” meaning first among equals.
(xix)The house of Lords in Britain, is the highest court of appeal.
(xx)Britain runs a two-party system, one forming the government and the other opposition.
(xxi)If the ruling party controls a sizable majority in the parliament, stability is ensured in the system.