Presidential and parliamentary forms of government are the two different forms of good government in democracy which are available around the globe.
In the USA, the head of the state as well as executive branch is President as the presidential form of government is existent here.
In Bangladesh, there is parliamentary form of government where the head of the state is President, a ceremonial position and the Prime Minister holds the real power as the head of government. The office of Prime Minister holds as long as parliament supports the prime minister's policies, but for no longer than five years without a general election. But a general election may occur at any time short of a full time. For example, parliament may vote "no confidence." But there is no term limit for Prime Minister.
George Washington (1789-1797), the founding President of the United States of America, served two terms as the President of the United States and was asked to serve again. If he wished, he could because the people loved of him and his military was loyal to him. Even Colonel Lewis Nicola suggested him that the army set up a monarchy with Washington as King. Washington replied it with abhorrence and ordered Nicola, "to banish these thoughts from your mind."
In those days, Washington realized it would turn to another monarchy and it was not a good idea for the people and the country. He envisioned about the two terms as the bulwark against monarchy.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) (1993-1945), the 32nd President of the United States served the country more than 12 years. He was the only President of the United States of America elected four times and died in 1945 just 83 days after becoming President for the fourth time.
After the death of FDR, Harry S Truman had been Vice-President and he was then elevated to 23rd President (1945-1953) of the United States. In 1951, the 22nd Amendment was ratified as the President of the United States for two four-year constitutional limitation terms.
Developed countries can use the two four-year constitutional limitation terms while developing countries may form the two five-year constitutional limitation terms whether it is the presidential or the parliamentary form of government as the head of state or the government.
People have unalienable rights to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness, for which President or Prime Minister cannot run for whole life. It is the opportunities for others or the new leadership in order to prevent monarchy, dictatorship, family favouring politics, greed, power hunger, corruption and the evils of political parties which can ruin the country and its stability and unity. We have seen such pictures around the globe. So, the two-term limits are the best answer to serving the people and it is the well-oiled experimental machine to run the country.
If the President or the Prime Minister cannot show the improvements, people have choice to remove him/her in the second term. So, the two terms ensure the change of leadership in the government as "the government of the people, by the people and for the people." Both the President and the Prime Minister need to know they are the servant and not lord of the people. Like President or Prime Minister all elected officials should have two-term limits for the best interest of the people and the country.
The writer is based in the USA. Email: iftuahmed@sbcglobal.net
Should the terms of President or Prime Minister be limited?
Iftu Ahmed | Published: August 02, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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