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Unitary system of government may be described as a government organized under a single central government. A Federal system of government is one in which sovereignty is not confined exclusively to either the central government or the component units, but rather, is divided between them.

Unitary System of Government | The word ‘unitary’ is an adjective derived from the term ‘unit’, which means one. A unitary government is therefore a form of government with one legally recognized government. There is a single central government, which derives its powers from a unitary constitution.

Confederation / Confederal system of government is the type of government in which sovereign states come together as autonomous bodies to form a loose political union in which the central government is subordinate to the components governments.

The presidential system of government is a type of government in which most executive powers are vested in the President who is the chief executive (Head of State and Head of Government). The system was originally derived from the British monarchs of the 18th century who were very powerful.

Presidential system of government is a form of government where there is a separation of functions between the executive organ and legislative organ of government. In this system, all the three arms of government are independent of one another.

The presidential system of government is based on separation of power where the Executive is separated from the Legislature. It can also be regarded as a system where executive powers are invested in one person called the president and in which the Executive arm of government is separated from the Legislature but equal to it.

Parliamentary Supremacy or Parliamentary Sovereignty can be defined as the exclusive right of parliament to make and unmake laws without any form of extemal control.

In a parliamentary system, a clear distinction is made between the head of  state and the head of government (Prime Minister), a executive and the executive. Here, the head of the state, King or Queen in Britain or President in India, possesses nominal or titular authority whereas the real authority rests with the government of which the Prime Minister is the head.

The principle of individual ministerial responsibility refers to the convention that a minister is responsible to every actions of their department / ministry and it's applicable in the presidential system of government. Collective responsibility is to cabinet or parliamentary system of government where ministers are collectively responsible for there decisions.

Legislature is the organ of government charged with the responsibility of making laws as well as policy formulation. Despite the importance of this governmental institution, it remains the arm of government that is most hit and undermined by political instability.

The Judiciary is the system of courts that interprets and applies the law. The judiciary also provides a mechanism for the resolution of disputes. Under the doctrine of the separation of powers, the judiciary generally does not make law (in a plenary fashion which is the responsibility of the legislature) or enforce law (which is the responsibility of the executive) but rather interprets law and applies it to the facts of each case.

Structure of the Judiciary | Organs of Government The structure of the judiciary varies from country to country. Written constitutions usually contain provisions which provide...

A bill is not a law until it is signed into law by the executive. It is a proposal of action discussed in the parliament and later signed to become a law by the President.

Types of Legislature | This type of legislatures enjoy considerable power to formulate polices without being challenged by the executive. Again, the executive always considers necessary the need to sample the opinion of the legislature before she brings any bill or legislation proposal to the parliament.

The Legislature is the organ of government responsible for law making. The legislature makes laws which are to be obeyed by everybody. The legislature also maintains control over the policy and administrative actions of the executive and acts as a forum for airing public opinions.

There are several limitations on the power of the leglslature. They include; Development of Political Parties, Expansion of Executive Powers, Judicial Review, Public Opinion & The Electorate.

How Bills Become Law? | A public bill goes through three stages, namely, the first reading, second reading and third reading before it becomes an Act of Parliament or a law.

As the hub around which the wheel of government revolves, the executive is the active force in government. As such, it performs a number of functions and exercises certain powers which are necessary for the survival of the political system. Some of these powers and functions of the executive are explained below.

Limitations on the Powers of the Executive Branch | 1. There is parliamentary control of the executive, especially in a cabinet system of government. The prime minister and his cabinet are responsible to the lower house. That is, they must explain and defend their policies in the house, and if the parliament withdraws its support for the government, the prime minister either resigns or advises the king or president to dissolve parliament in order to seek fresh support through a general election.

Rights, Duties and Obligations of a Citizen | Citizenship confers both rights and duties on a citizen. Since the citizen enjoys all the rights provided by his state, it follows that he is obliged to perform certain duties and obligation to the state in return. This is because every right or privilege entails a responsibility.