Comparative Government and Politics - Legislatures Flashcards
what is a legislature
a multi-member representative body which considers public issues and either accepts, amends or rejects proposals for new laws and policies
how many ways of understanding representation
four
what is the first way of understanding representation
formalistic
what is formalistic representation
this is concerned with the rules and arrangements for representation, asking how representatives come to office, how they enforce their decisions, how they respond to their constituents, and how they are held accountable by voters
what is descriptive representation
the extent to which representatives resemble their constituents
what is symbolic representation
how representatives are viewed by their constituents
what is substantive representation
how representatives respond to and serve the best interests of their voters
what is debating legislature
one where floor debate is the central activity, through which major issues are addressed and parties gain or lose ground
what is plenary session
a meeting of the entire legislation, as distinct from committee meetings
what is a committee-based legislature
one where most work takes place in committees, where members transform bills into laws, conducting hearings, and scrutinising the executive
what is a committee
a group of legislators assigned to look in detail at proposals for new laws
what is a vote of confidence
a vote in legislature on the question of its confidence in the government to lead. If lost, it normally requires the resignation of the government
what is a unicameral legislature
a single chambered legislature
what is a bicameral legislature
a double chambered legislatives
what is weak bicameralism
this arises when the lower chamber dominates the upper, providing the primary focus for government accountability
