What is a major drawback of the parliamentary system in terms of governance stability?

Correct option is A

The correct answer is (a) Governments may collapse due to no-confidence motions or coalition disputes.

Explanation:

• A major drawback of the parliamentary system is that governments may collapse due to no-confidence motions or coalition disputes.
• In a parliamentary system, the executive is drawn from the legislature, and the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers must maintain the confidence of the majority in the lower house of parliament (e.g., the Lok Sabha in India).
• If they lose this confidence, for example, through a no-confidence motion, the government can fall, leading to instability.
• Coalition governments, which are common in countries with a parliamentary system, may also face challenges if the constituent parties disagree on policies or fail to maintain unity, resulting in government collapse or frequent elections.

Information Booster:

• No-confidence motions are tools through which the legislature can express a lack of confidence in the government.
• Coalition disputes are especially problematic when no single party has a clear majority and multiple smaller parties must form an alliance, leading to frequent policy disagreements or potential breakdowns in governance.
• Parliamentary systems are typically more fluid than presidential systems, which can result in less political stability, especially in countries with fragmented party systems.

Additional Knowledge:
(b) The President can dismiss the Prime Minister at any time:

• In a parliamentary system, the President or monarch generally has the power to dismiss the Prime Minister, but this is typically done based on the advice of the Prime Minister or under specific circumstances. It is not a routine feature that leads to instability.

(c) Elections are held only once every decade:

• Elections in a parliamentary system are generally held more frequently, and not just once every decade. Regular elections ensure accountability and participation, which is not a drawback of the system.

(d) The judiciary frequently overrules executive decisions:

• While judicial overreach can occur in any political system, it is not specifically a drawback of the parliamentary system. The judiciary in a parliamentary system functions as a check on the executive, ensuring the constitution is upheld.