Is Presidential System a Good Institution?
Author: Thomas Ching-peng Peng
Abstract / Chinese PDF Download
A country’s constitutional framework preconditions the capability of its government. It also influences the interaction among parties, electoral systems, and politicians. Empirical evidence demonstrates that the U.S. is the only presidential country that has maintained a continuous democracy for the past two centuries. Juan Linz identifies two characteristics of presidentialism as the causes of the failure of presidential systems: dual democratic legitimacy and rigidity. This paper expands Linz’s observation to explain the institutional flaws of presidentialism: dual elections, fixed terms for the president and congress, and dual representation of the president. A variety of institutional impacts of presidentialism are discussed. In addition, the reasons why the U.S. presidential system is successful and those of Latin American countries are not are explored. Finally, the paper casts doubt on the idea that presidential system should be considered a preferable alternative for future constitutional reform in Taiwan.