Comments
From: New Zealand's President
  • Lewis . # . 1/1
    I think it depends on your aim for the political system. I suspect most republicans in Australia and New Zealand want to emphasise that parliamentary republics do have a greater degree of accountability, as a reaction to the accusation from supporters of the monarchy that republics in general do not. In this sense, my argument for a parliamentary republic is admittedly a reactionary one. That said, your point - that the "mess" of the US system airs its power struggles much unlike the Westminster system - is a valid one.
    • cam . # .
      Lewis, I don't think Parliamentary republics do have better accountability than Presidential systems. The checks and balances are just flat out lacking in parliamentary systems because the executive is in the lower house. In unicameral parliaments it is even worse.
      • Lewis . # .
        Ah, well I'm about to argue that due to proportional representation in NZ's unicameral parliament, we should avoid that problem (as is the case in Germany, upon whom NZ bases its electoral system).