What are the differences between parliamentary and presidential forms of government?

The
parliamentary system and the presidential system are both similar forms of democracy, with
various branches ruling the government and a figurehead leader at the top. However, there are
some differences.

For instance, the American presidential system has three
branches to its government (the executive, legislative, and judicial), whereas in the British
parliamentary system of government, the executive branchthe prime minister, their advisers, and
the ministryall come from the judicial branch, or the Parliament, thus creating a more cohesive
unit than in the Presidential system.

While there are powerful opposing
forces in both systems, the presidential system gives the president some legislative power to
wield against the other party. In the parliamentary system, however, the ministers have less
power to overrule their legislative opponents, and the prime minister can, in fact, be voted out
with relative ease.