Parliamentary government in different shapes

This article focuses on the principles of parliamentary government and the implementation of these principles. Empirically, the study includes 239 cabinet formations in Europe after World War II. The results show that the party structure significantly affects the way the principles of majority, plurality and responsiveness are put into practice. In two‐party systems, institutional arrangements guarantee that the principles are implemented. In consensual multi‐party systems, the principles are largely implemented as well. However, in non‐consensual multi‐party systems, often including one dominant party, it is much more difficult to fulfil the ideals of parliamentary government. The study also shows that the majority element greatly increases government stability.