2 B. The Presidential form (USA — the model)

Features: 1. Single executive: the President is both head of state and head of government; 2. Separation of personnel: the President and legislators are elected separately, for fixed terms, and neither can remove the other by ordinary vote (removal only by impeachment); 3. Non-responsibility: the President does not sit in, and is not responsible to, the legislature; 4. Fixed-term mandate: the President cannot dissolve the legislature; 5. Rigidity by design — stability through separation. Merits: stability; energy in the executive (Hamilton's argument); a single nationwide mandate; separation protects liberty. Demerits: gridlock (divided government); personalisation of power; rigidity (a failed president cannot be removed easily); no parliamentary nursery of ministers. (Hybrid forms exist — the semi-presidential Fifth Republic France: directly elected President + responsible PM.)