Parliamentary Government
The Westminster Architecture of India
PART I — PRINCIPLES OF THE SYSTEM
SUB-REALM 08.1
Nominal & Real Executives
- President: Nominal head
- PM: Real executive
- Titular vs actual
- De jure vs de facto
SUB-REALM 08.2
Majority Party Rule
- Lok Sabha majority
- Forms the government
- President appoints PM
- Coalition possibilities
SUB-REALM 08.3
Collective Responsibility
- Core principle (Art 75)
- Responsible to Lok Sabha
- Sink or swim together
- No-confidence motion
SUB-REALM 08.4
Double Membership
- Ministers as MPs
- Executive from Legislature
- Must join within 6 months
- Close interdependence
PART II — LEADERSHIP & PROCEDURES
SUB-REALM 08.5
Leadership of the PM
- Crucial leadership role
- Council of Ministers head
- Leader of Parliament
- Chief policy maker
SUB-REALM 08.6
Dissolution of Lower House
- Lok Sabha dissolution
- PM advises President
- Before term expiry
- Forces fresh elections
SUB-REALM 08.7
Secrecy of Procedure
- Oath of secrecy
- Cabinet proceedings hidden
- Administered by President
- Maintains collective unity
SUB-REALM 08.8
Indian vs British Model
vs
- Republic vs Monarchy
- Written constitution constraints
- PM from either House (India)
- No legal minister responsibility
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