Parliamentary Democracy

* Coalition Politics

- Parliamentary systems usually are 3+ party systems

-> often proportional representation elections

-> Most European countries have 4 to 7 parties

=> the usuals: (in general size order, 15-40%)

+> Christian/Social Democrats (moderate, tend right),

+> Socialist (radical to moderate leftists),

+> Conservatives (moderate to conservative rightists),

+> Communists (hard-core leftist),

=> the occasionals: (generally 5-10 %)

+> Greens (Environmental left),

+> Radicals (Social radical leftists)

+> Fascists or hard right (Le Pen in France, Forza Italia in Italy)
- Lack of a dominant party requires coalition politics

-> SEE CHART ON BOARD (FIG 1)

-> government lean left or right, or are centrist

=> coalitions compromise on legislation

=> no one gets exactly what they want

=> a generally moderating tendency

-> coalitions elect a prime minister

* Prime Ministers, “Cabinets”, and Governments

- once elections held, some “presidential” figure taps a person to form a government

-> in reality, representative politics make minister inevitable

=> no point in choosing someone who can’t win confidence

-> Prime Minister is usually the head of largest party in coalition

=> rarely, a compromise minor-party figure

- the P.M. chooses his “cabinet” or “government”

-> high officials, bureaucrats, and political figures lead the main departments

=> much like our cabinet

=> coalition members split up cabinet positions

- the government runs country until…

-> election date comes up (some countries)

-> prime minister sees need for new elections, and calls

-> confidence in government fails

=> if coalition splits (issues, scandal, whatever), and government looses a key vote,

it is called “no confidence”

=> government then falls and new elections are held

* Strengths

- Coalitions and prop. rep. allow multi-parties/voices

- “no confidence” system allows quick change of government

-> no need for impeachment

- coalitions require working together and create consensus, relative moderation

- division of cabinet can allow parties with special skill to control departments

- stability, the same parties tend to stay in control

-> Italy had 40+ governments since 1945, only a couple not dominated by Christian

Democrats

* Weaknesses

- lots of elections

- lots of governments

- no all-country elected figure, like President

- lack of a possible coalition creates a serious political crisis

- revolving door cabinets and government can create corruption

- coalition trade-offs can lead to corruption

- small parties can hold entire process hostage

-> a key minor party can make disturbing demands

=> often a problem in Israel and in Italy