Compare and contrast presidential and parliamentary systems.

What will be an ideal response?

Students should describe the presidential system as one in which the power of government is divided among three independent institutions: the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary. They should contrast this system with the parliamentary system, in which ultimate power rests with the legislature. They should explain that the president retains power independent of the legislature because the president is chosen by the people (or in the United States an Electoral College) and has independent powers. Further, the separation is reinforced by a system of checks and balances that gives each branch the ability to protect itself from the others. Good essays will point out that in the United States, the power of the legislature is divided further by the use of a bicameral structure. Students can then contrast this arrangement with the parliamentary system, in which the parliament chooses the head of the executive branch, usually called a prime minister, and the other chief executive officials. Students can point out that the united power of the branches is reinforced by usually choosing all these officials from among the members of parliament. Further, the prime minister represents the majority or largest party in the legislature, thus reinforcing the agreement in policy goals between the branches.