The Governance System

The advantages of the presidential system are given below:

• Separation of powers: Efficiency of administration is greatly enhanced since the three arms of the government are independent of each other.
• Expert government: Since the executive need not be legislators, the President can choose experts in various fields to head relevant departments or ministries. This will make sure that people who are capable and kriowledgeable form part of the government.
• Stability: This type of government is stable. Since the term of the president is fixed and not subject to majority support in the legislative, he need not worry about losing the government. There is no danger of a sudden fall of the government. There is no political pressure on the president to make decisions.
• Less influence of the party system: Political parties do not attempt to dislodge the government since the tenure is fixed

The advantages of the presidential system are given below:

• Separation of powers: Efficiency of administration is greatly enhanced since the three arms of the government are independent of each other.
• Expert government: Since the executive need not be legislators, the President can choose experts in various fields to head relevant departments or ministries. This will make sure that people who are capable and kriowledgeable form part of the government.
• Stability: This type of government is stable. Since the term of the president is fixed and not subject to majority support in the legislative, he need not worry about losing the government. There is no danger of a sudden fall of the government. There is no political pressure on the president to make decisions.
• Less influence of the party system: Political parties do not attempt to dislodge the government since the tenure is fixed

Factors such as population size, cultural diversity, political culture and history of the country often determine the choice of democratic system.

• Direct Democracy: Citizens directly vote on laws and participate in public affairs. For example, City-States of Ancient Greece.
• Representative Democracy: Citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf. It is of two kinds- Parliamentary and Presidential Democracy. For example, India, United States, France.
• Presidential Democracy: President is the head of the state and head of the government and is directly elected by the people. Strict separation of powers between executive and legislature. For example, United States.
• Parliamentary Democracy: Head of the government is elected by the people and head of the state is a ceremonial figure. Executive is accountable to legislature. For example, India.
• Consensus Democracy: Decision making is made through consensus among all members of governing body instead of majority vote. For example, Swiss Cantons.
• Semi-Direct Democracy: A greater degree of people participation through plebiscites, initiatives, referendums than in representative democracy. For examples, Liechtenstein

Characteristics features of Indian democracy are-

• Popular Sovereignty: Asserts that people are the ultimate source of authority which is reflected in the Preamble, We, the people of India".
  Universal Adult Suffrage: All the citizens above 18 years old are eligible to elect their representatives, reflects inherent worth of every individual.
• Rule of law: Notion that no one is above law and all are subject to the same law.
• Separation of power: Ensures checks and balances between various organs of the government and prevent abuse of power.
• Independent Judiciary: Upholds rule of law and protects individual rights.
• Free and Fair elections: Independent constitutional body carries out elections in a free, fair and transparent manner.
• Multi-Party System: Reflects the diverse opinions, ideologies and voices and ensures a thriving democracy.
• Secularism: State maintains principled distance from all the religions this fostering harmony in the society.
• Free Press: A fundamental right under Article 19 ensures free flow of information to the public.
• Independent Civil Society: Pressure groups, civil society organisations, NGOs promote social justice and human rights.

The term "Republic" in the Indian Constitution, as articulated in its Preamble, embodies the essence of India's democratic ethos and governance structure. This concept signifies more than just the absence of a hereditary monarchy, it represents a system where the highest authority, the President, is elected and the supreme power resides with the people and their elected representatives.
In the Indian context, being a Republic means that the head of the state, the President, is an elected official, as opposed to a hereditary position common in monarchies. This democratic principle is enshrined in the Constitution, which mandates the election of the President by an electoral college.

The term "Republic" in the Indian Constitution, as articulated in its Preamble, embodies the essence of India's democratic ethos and governance structure. This concept signifies more than just the absence of a hereditary monarchy, it represents a system where the highest authority, the President, is elected and the supreme power resides with the people and their elected representatives.
In the Indian context, being a Republic means that the head of the state, the President, is an elected official, as opposed to a hereditary position common in monarchies. This democratic principle is enshrined in the Constitution, which mandates the election of the President by an electoral college.

Significance of Indian Constitution

• Rule of Law-The Constitution establishes the framework for governance based on the rule of law, ensuring that no individual, including government officials, is above the law.
• Protection of Rights - It guarantees fundamental rights to citizens, safeguarding their freedoms of speech, expression, religion, and more, while also providing mechanisms for legal redress if these rights are infringed upon.
• Structure of Government - The Constitution delineates the structure of government, defining the roles, powers, and limitations of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. This separation of powers prevents the concentration of authority and promotes checks and balances.
• Democratic Principles - Through provisions like a universal adult franchise, the constitution upholds democratic principles by ensuring citizens participation in governance through free and fair elections.
• Stability and Continuity - The constitution provides stability and continuity in governance, serving as a framework for guiding successive governments and preventing abrupt changes in the political system.
• National Unity - It fosters national unity by recognizing and respecting the diversity of the populace while also promoting a sense of common citizenship and allegiance to the nation.
• Legal Framework-The constitution serves as the legal foundation upon which all laws and regulations are based, providing consistency and coherence in the legal system.
• Adaptability - While providing a stable framework, the constitution also allows for necessary amendments to accommodate changing societal needs and values, ensuring its relevance over time.

Although India follows this system chiefly influenced by the British model, there are a few differences between the Indian and British systems. They are:

• In India, the PM can be from either the Rajya Sabha or the Lok Sabha. In Britain, the PM will always be from the lower house, the House of Commons.
• In Britain, the speaker once appointed, formally resigns from his/her political party. In India, the speaker continues to be a member of his/her party though he/she is expected to be impartial in the proceedings.
• The concept of a shadow cabinet is absent in India. In Britain, the opposition forms a shadow cabinet that scrutinises the actions and policies of the government. It also offers alternative programmes.

The general features of federalism are

Division of power: Federalism divides power between a central government and regional governments, with each level having its own specific responsibilities and areas of authority.
Supremacy of Constitution: Federalism is based on a written Constitution that defines the powers and responsibilities of the central and regional governments and establishes a system of checks and balances to ensure that neither level of government becomes too powerful.
Independent judiciary: Federalism typically includes an independent judiciary that can interpret the Constitution and resolve disputes between different levels of government.
Bicameral legislature: Federalism often features a bicameral legislature, with one chamber representing the people and the other representing the regional governments.
Flexibility: Federalism allows for flexibility in the sharing of powers between central and regional governments and allows for adjustments as circumstances change.