Kekuatan & Kelemahan Presidensial vs Parlementer | Prof. Dr. Bambang Cipto, M.A.

Summary

In this lecture, H. Umar compares the presidential and parliamentary systems, focusing on their key characteristics and differences. He explains that in a presidential system, the president is directly elected, holds a fixed term, and is both the head of state and government. Umar highlights the advantages of the presidential system, such as accountability and the ability for voters to reward or punish leaders. However, he also discusses potential drawbacks, like the risk of deadlock between the president and the legislature, which can lead to political instability.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video discusses the comparison between presidential and parliamentary systems of democracy, highlighting their characteristics and advantages.
• 🏛️ In a presidential system, the president is directly elected by the people and has a fixed term, whereas in a parliamentary system, the Prime Minister is usually appointed by the parliament.
• 🌐 The presidential system is widely adopted globally, partly due to the high level of accountability it provides, allowing for direct reward and punishment of the president by the electorate.
• 📊 The presidential system offers the people a clear identification of the policies that will be taken by the president, as they are directly involved in the election process.
• 👥 The presidential system can lead to a separation of powers, with the president having executive authority and the parliament holding legislative power.
• 🚫 The president may have the power to veto legislation passed by the parliament, but the parliament can override this veto with a supermajority.
• 📜 The script mentions the 'president's decree' as a form of legislation that does not require the parliament's legislative process, with examples from Brazil and Indonesia.
• 🔄 The presidential system has the potential for deadlocks when the president and the parliament disagree on policies, which can lead to political instability.
• 💡 The video script suggests that the presidential system can be prone to failure if there is a lack of support from the majority party in the parliament or if there are too many political parties leading to elite fragmentation.
• 🌍 The script contrasts the presidential system with the parliamentary system, noting that the latter often has a more stable government due to the professional politicians and support from the majority party.
• 📈 The video concludes by reflecting on the potential for political crises in presidential systems, as seen in some countries during the 1990s, and the importance of economic stability and reform.

Q & A

What is the main topic of discussion in the video script?

The main topic of discussion is the comparison between the parliamentary and presidential systems of democracy.

What is the key difference between a presidential and a parliamentary system?

In a presidential system, the president is directly elected by the people and is separate from the legislative branch, while in a parliamentary system, the head of government (often called the Prime Minister) is typically the leader of the majority party in the parliament.

What is the term length for the president in a presidential system?

The term length for a president in a presidential system is usually fixed, often four years, as mentioned in the script.

Why is the presidential system considered to have high accountability?

The presidential system is considered to have high accountability because the president is directly elected by the people and can be rewarded or punished based on their performance through elections.

What is the concept of 'Veto' in the context of a presidential system?

The 'Veto' is a power that allows the president to reject a bill passed by the legislative body (DPR). However, the legislative body can override the veto with a supermajority, typically 75% of votes.

What is the legislative power of the president in a presidential system?

In a presidential system, the president has the power to propose legislation but must work with the legislative body to pass it. The president also has the power to veto legislation and can issue executive orders.

What is the risk of a 'deadlock' in a presidential system?

A 'deadlock' occurs when the president and the legislative body cannot agree on a policy, leading to a stalemate that can potentially cause political instability.

Why did the presidential system fail in some countries in the 1990s?

The script mentions that the failure of the presidential system in some countries was due to economic crises and the inability to manage the situation effectively, leading to the fall of leaders like Soeharto.

What is the difference in the selection process of leaders between the presidential and parliamentary systems?

In a presidential system, leaders are directly elected by the people, whereas in a parliamentary system, the leader is often the head of the majority party in the parliament, which can lead to a more professional and experienced leadership.

Why is the parliamentary system considered more stable in terms of government operations?

The parliamentary system is considered more stable because it allows for a more flexible government structure, where the head of government can be replaced without new elections, and there is less likelihood of confrontation between the executive and legislative branches.

What are the potential advantages of the presidential system in terms of policy identification and implementation?

The presidential system allows for clear identification and implementation of policies because the president is directly elected and accountable to the people for their policy decisions, which can lead to a more decisive and consistent government approach.