THE PERILS OF PRESIDENTIALISM

In: Journal of democracy, Band 1, Heft 1, S. 51-70

Abstract

THE VIEW OF THIS ARTICLE IS THAT THE SUPERIOR HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE OF PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACIES IS NO ACCIDENT. A CAREFUL COMPARISON OF PARLIAMENTARISM AS SUCH WITH PRESIDENTIALISM AS SUCH LEADS TO THE CONCLUSION THAT, ON BALANCE, THE FORMER IS MORE CONDUCTIVE TO STABLE DEMOCRACY THAN THE LATTER. THIS CONCLUSION APPLIES ESPECIALLY TO NATIONS WITH DEEP POLITICAL CLEAVAGES AND NUMEROUS POLITICAL PARTIES; FOR SUCH COUNTRIES, PARLIAMENTARISM GENERALLY OFFERS A BETTER HOPE OF PRESERVING DEMOCRACY. ALL THIS IS DISCUSSED ALONG WITH THE ISSUE OF STABILITY AND THE PROBLEM OF DUAL LEGITIMACY.