The growth of cabinet system has practically resulted in the marginalisation of the parliamentary supremacy.” Elucidate. (10M, 150 words) [GS-2: Indian Polity]

Introduction:

The cabinet system, central to parliamentary democracies like India and the UK, has evolved in a way that often marginalizes parliamentary supremacy, concentrating power in the hands of the executive.

Body:

Cabinet Dominance:

• The cabinet, composed of the Prime Minister and key ministers, wields substantial authority, controlling the formulation of policies, legislation, and the administration. Since the ruling party or coalition typically holds a majority in the legislature, the cabinet can dominate parliamentary proceedings.
• Party discipline ensures that members of the ruling party largely vote according to the government’s direction, limiting meaningful parliamentary debate and scrutiny.

Marginalization of Parliament:

• Frequent use of ordinances, bypassing parliamentary debate, and the guillotine method (passing bills with limited discussion) further undermine parliamentary authority.
• The executive’s control over the legislative agenda means that the parliament’s role as a watchdog is weakened, reducing its ability to hold the government accountable.

Conclusion:

While parliament remains a critical institution in theory, the growth of the cabinet system has shifted real power to the executive, leading to the marginalization of parliamentary supremacy in practice.