Changes

Over the course of the 20th century, the Prime Minister post has increased in importance in Parliamentary systems. Today, in Britain, the Prime Minister has roughly 200 members of staff. Think tanks and policy united in Europe, Japan, and elsewhere have also become increasingly influential, where policies have been used to guide new ideas in international and national affairs. With the major World Wars in the 20th century, the Prime Minister post has also increasingly taken on international affairs as part of their job requirements. In countries where some areas have a semi-autonomous status, Prime Ministers have lost some powers, including devolution which has effectively moved some or all domestic policies in these regions to local councils or parliaments. This is the case in the UK. However, where powers are in dispute, such as in Spain, then conflict can arise and the central government has taken power back from local legislative bodies. Overall, many historians argue that the Presidential system has influenced the Parliamentary system more so in the 20th century, as personalities of individual presidents and the loyalty they command has become more influential in leadership selection and elections. More commonly now, individuals rather than parties gain more attention, with the media often using specific people as the standard bearer of a party even though parties often select Prime Ministers rather than the electorate.<ref>For more on the evolution political systems in the 20th century and how the role of Prime Minister developed, see: Dalton, Russell J., David M. Farrell, and Ian McAllister. 2011. <i>Political Parties and Democratic Linkage: How Parties Organize Democracy</i>. CSES. Oxford ; New York: Oxford University Press. </ref>