Chapter Overview

This chapter presents the basic model of parliamentary government with a strong focus on the British Parliamentary system. The discussion stresses the interdependence of the cabinet and parliament and the role of party discipline in making this interdependence work. Further, the importance of party supremacy is underlined. The general conclusion is that where it works, parliamentary government provides a clean and efficient way of making policy. However, in cases where cooperative arrangements cannot be worked out within or among parties, the parliamentary system carries the danger of a breakdown. The roles of parliaments in non-democratic systems are also discussed with special reference to the Soviet Union. The chapter ends with a detailed discussion of Germany and India.

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