RURAL UPDATE

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BY JOHNNY NOVERA
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Forms of democracy

WE ARE pleased to quote below an e-mail received from one, Dick Harbers (dharbers@hotmail.com), with the title “Forms of Democracy” commenting on our article, “What Do You Know of the Parliamentary System?”
“Good afternoon.
“I read your article in Panay News on 25 Oct. 2016 about the parliamentary system of democracy. I do not have the article in front of me but from memory you recommend that the populace discuss the merits of a Presidential Democracy and a Parliamentary Democracy, and I thoroughly agree with this suggestion.
“However (from memory again) you seemed to suggest that a Parliamentary Democracy is limited to one house or chamber. I am from Australia where we consider we have a Parliamentary Democracy (albeit with a Monarch as nominal Head-of-State represented by the Governor-General) and yet we have two houses of Parliament. The Lower House is called the House of Representatives where legislation is prepared and debated. Then we have the Upper House called the Senate which is mostly a house to review the legislation proposed by the House of Representatives. Legislation has to pass both Houses to be enacted. The Senate can also propose legislation.
“Both Houses’ members are elected by the people – though each House has a different system for election.
“The Prime Minister is the Leader of the Government and sits in the Lower House and all Ministers are elected representatives (from either House) rather than appointed (as various Secretaries are by the President as in the USA), though portfolios are allocated by the Prime Minister.
“You probably already know most of this already and my intention is to highlight there are various models of democracy, each with its pros and cons. And as Winston Churchill is purported to have said ‘Democracy is the worst form of Government except for all the others.’ (my wording).
“I trust you will continue to encourage an in-depth discussion of such an important issue. Regards – Dick Harbers”
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We confirm Mr. Harbers’ observation that there are now various models of parliamentary democracy with some retaining two houses in their legislative bodies for built-in check and balance.
Mr. Harper is currently Charge d’affaire of the German Embassy. We thank him for his comments and participation.
We will resume sharing you further information in our next column, highlighting the differences between the two systems of government. (For comments or reactions, please e-mail to jnoveracompany@yahoo.com or text to 09084683945)/PN
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