Checks and Balances as Complementary to Separation of Powers in Presidential Systems

Bülent Coşgun

Article Details

Checks and Balances as Complementary to Separation of Powers in Presidential Systems

Authors:

Bülent Coşgun

Publisher:

Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University

Main Topics:

Siyaset Bilimi

Journal:

Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli Üniversitesi İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi Dergisi Vol.25 Issue 1, pp.301-324

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

11/2023

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001287673

pISSN:

2667-405X

Keywords:

Abstract:

 Separation of powers, which has been theorized with the search for the limitation of power, is one of the most basic principles of democratic administrations today. The existence of checks and balances with the principle of separation of powers in presidential systems is more important due to the potential to cause the executive body to become overpowered and the need for the cooperation of the branches for the healthy functioning of the system. Apart from the basic premise that different functions of power should be in different hands to prevent the abuse of power, the separation of powers argues that the branches should balance each other. In this respect, the separation of powers also includes the system of checks and balances, but these two principles are not synonymous. The principle of separation of powers outlines the general requirements, but checks and balances are systematized tools that find their place in the US Constitution and implementation. Thus, the main purpose of the study is to reveal that the principle of separation of powers in the presidential system is not sufficient on its own, and checks and balances are indispensable for the system to have a democratic quality. Therefore, it is emphasized that the principle of separation of powers remains on paper and the checks and balances are weak in countries that are considered as a deviation from the presidential system.

 Separation of powers, which has been theorized with the search for the limitation of power, is one of the most basic principles of democratic administrations today. The existence of checks and balances with the principle of separation of powers in presidential systems is more important due to the potential to cause the executive body to become overpowered and the need for the cooperation of the branches for the healthy functioning of the system. Apart from the basic premise that different functions of power should be in different hands to prevent the abuse of power, the separation of powers argues that the branches should balance each other. In this respect, the separation of powers also includes the system of checks and balances, but these two principles are not synonymous. The principle of separation of powers outlines the general requirements, but checks and balances are systematized tools that find their place in the US Constitution and implementation. Thus, the main purpose of the study is to reveal that the principle of separation of powers in the presidential system is not sufficient on its own, and checks and balances are indispensable for the system to have a democratic quality. Therefore, it is emphasized that the principle of separation of powers remains on paper and the checks and balances are weak in countries that are considered as a deviation from the presidential system.

 Separation of powers, which has been theorized with the search for the limitation of power, is one of the most basic principles of democratic administrations today. The existence of checks and balances with the principle of separation of powers in presidential systems is more important due to the potential to cause the executive body to become overpowered and the need for the cooperation of the branches for the healthy functioning of the system. Apart from the basic premise that different functions of power should be in different hands to prevent the abuse of power, the separation of powers argues that the branches should balance each other. In this respect, the separation of powers also includes the system of checks and balances, but these two principles are not synonymous. The principle of separation of powers outlines the general requirements, but checks and balances are systematized tools that find their place in the US Constitution and implementation. Thus, the main purpose of the study is to reveal that the principle of separation of powers in the presidential system is not sufficient on its own, and checks and balances are indispensable for the system to have a democratic quality. Therefore, it is emphasized that the principle of separation of powers remains on paper and the checks and balances are weak in countries that are considered as a deviation from the presidential system.

 İktidarın sınırlanması arayışıyla ortaya konmuş olan kuvvetler ayrılığı ilkesi günümüzde demokratik yönetimlerin en temel ilkelerindendir. Kuvvetler ayrılığına göre hükümet sistemleri parlamenter sistem ve başkanlık sistemi olarak ikiye ayrılmakta olup, başkanlık sistemi erklerin yetkilerinin keskin çizgilerle ayrıldığı sert kuvvetler ayrılığına dayanmaktadır. Yürütme organının aşırı güçlü olmasına yol açma potansiyeli ve sistemin sağlıklı işlemesi için organların işbirliğine duyulan gereksinim nedeniyle başkanlık sistemlerinde kuvvetler ayrılığı ilkesiyle birlikte denge ve denetim mekanizmalarının varlığı daha büyük önem taşımaktadır. Kuvvetler ayrılığı gücün kötüye kullanımının engellenmesi için iktidarın farklı işlevlerinin farklı ellerde bulunması gerektiği temel önermesi dışında kuvvetlerin birbirini dengelemesine vurgu yapmaktadır. Bu yönüyle kuvvetler ayrılığı, denge ve denetleme sistemini de kapsamaktadır ancak bu iki ilke birbiriyle eş anlamlı değildir. Kuvvetler ayrılığı ilkesi genel gereklilikleri ortaya koymaktadır ancak denge ve denetleme mekanizmaları başkanlık sistemi özelinde ABD Anayasasında kendine yer bulup uygulanarak sistematize edilmiş araçlardır. Çalışmanın temel amacı, başkanlık sisteminde kuvvetler ayrılığı ilkesinin tek başına yeterli olmadığı, onun tamamlayıcısı olan denge ve denetleme mekanizmalarının sistemin demokratik niteliğe sahip olması için vazgeçilmez olduğunu ortaya koymaktır. Nitekim çalışmada başkanlık sisteminden sapma olarak değerlendirilen ülkelerde kuvvetler ayrılığı ilkesinin kağıt üzerinde kaldığı ve denge ve denetleme mekanizmalarının güçlü olmadığı vurgulanmaktadır.

Article Details

Checks and Balances as Complementary to Separation of Powers in Presidential Systems

Authors:

Bülent Coşgun

Publisher:

Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University

Main Topics:

Siyaset Bilimi

Journal:

Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli Üniversitesi İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi Dergisi Vol.25 Issue 1, pp.301-324

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

11/2023

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001287673

pISSN:

2667-405X

Limitation of Power

Separation of Powers

Checks and Balances

Presidential Systemİktidarın Sınırlandırılması

Kuvvetler Ayrılığı

Denge ve Denetleme Mekanizmaları

Başkanlık Sistemi

Checks and Balances as Complementary to Separation of Powers in Presidential Systems

Limitation of Power

Separation of Powers

Checks and Balances

Presidential System

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Bülent Coşgun

Publisher: Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University

Main Topics: Siyaset Bilimi

Journal: Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli Üniversitesi İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi Dergisi Vol.25 Issue 1, pp.301-324

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 11/2023

Document Language: Turkish

Document ID (Org No.): 2001287673

pISSN: 2667-405X

Issues

Authors:

Bülent Coşgun

Publisher:

Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University

Main Topics:

Siyaset Bilimi

Journal:

Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli Üniversitesi İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi Dergisi Vol.25 Issue 1, pp.301-324

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

11/2023

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001287673

pISSN:

2667-405X