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Disadvantages OF PURE Parliamentary System
Course: LLB
254 Documents
Students shared 254 documents in this course
University: University of Nairobi
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DISADVANTAGES OF PURE PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM
1. The conflict between the opposition and the ruling party
The system acknowledges officially the presence of the opposition party whose main function is
to monitor the ruling party, making sure all the functions are confined within the law.1 However,
the opposition can be seen as a Government in waiting, and to have an advantage politically, they
fall prey to over-criticizing the ruling party. Such calamitous criticism encourages the delay of
national progress.2
2. It contravenes the notion of separation of power
Another disadvantage of the parliamentary system comes from one of its advantages; in that,
there is no true institution to oppose or veto parliamentary legislation, therefore there is no
check-in legislative authority.3Due to this lack of fundamental separation of power, it is believed
that this parliamentary system can allocate too much power to the executive wing making it look
like the Judiciary and Legislature have little oversight to supervise the Executive. Nontheless, the
system can be bicameral with the upper house oversees the lower house.
3. The high cost of operation
The existence of the executive in the parliamentary system of government generates more
expenses because the office of the President, Prime Minister or the Queen must be supplied in
terms of the facilities and logistics needed. This brings upon the unnecessary wastage of
resources. It is far more expensive to operate a parliamentary system compared to operating a
presidential one
4. May be liable to instability
Parliamentary systems may end up being unstable. This can be brought up through a vote of “no
confidence.” When the legislature passes a vote of no confidence, the government has to resign.
1 African Democratic Institute, “The Role Of Opposition Parties In Africa” (African-di.org)
<https://www.african-di.org/the-role-of-opposition-parties-in-africa/> accessed 6 September 2020.
2 Nigerian Scholars, “Disadvantages Of Parliamentary System”
<https://nigerianscholars.com/tutorials/structure-and-systems-of-government/disadvantages-of-
parliamentary-system/> accessed 6 September 2020.
3 “Advantages & Disadvantages Of A Parliamentary System” (Liberty, Democracy & Political reform,
9/04/2012)<https://enfranchise.wordpress.com/advantages-disadvantages-of-a-parliamentary-system/>
accessed 6 September 2020.