Answer:
In countries where the presidential system exists, it is usual to see also a vice president, who assumes mostly a figurative role, rather than a central active one, as his main purpose is to be ready if the need arises, to replace the president.
However, in many countries around the world, including the U.S, this figurative role has been exchanged for a more active one, and in the U.S most especially, the vice president now is also known as the leader of the Senate, and therefore the head of Congress. He has also been given further roles as member of the cabinet, replacing the President in many engagements in which once, he had no say, and no vote.
To my view, this is a positive development because one issue that has always existed with the position of vice president is that it is expensive to maintain, yet useless. That has changed with the increase in responsibilities given to the vice president. Second, it adds strength to the executive branch, allowing it to cover more ground than when it was just the President attending to all the needs of the nation. Third, in many regards, the vice president can become the positive image of a president, and he can give a good public image to the government that is presiding at the moment. So, given all these reasons, I see it as a positive development.
