L10 - Parliament Flashcards
What are 2 legislative Bodies
Parliaments: Denotes legislative bodies in parliamentary systems of government (Europe)
- The executive branch is selected from within the body (a fused power between the government and legislature).
Legislatures: Denotes legislative bodies in presidential systems of government (USA, Latin America, Russia)
- The executive (government) is elected separately from the legislature (NOT mutually dependent powers).
What are the 2 first main functions of Parliaments/Legislatures?
- Representation: Members of parliaments are elected by the people to act as our behalf (crucial function).
- Control & Oversight: Activities by which parliament monitors the functioning of the executive branch (especially b/w the elections)
What are the activities that fall under Representation ?
1) Linkage: A link between the citizens and the government or state institution (e.g. constituency service). ➔ The smaller the constituency, the more likely/easier linkage function.
2) Representation: Protection of voter interest. Different ways that this can be achieved with members of parliament acting as:
- Delegate: mirroring voters opinion
- Trustees: acting independently from the voters
- Partisans: acting as representative of political parties
3) Debating: an institutional forum for public debate - (they function as an arena for public dates, make a conflict b/w political actors invisible to the public & help make politicians raise their profile, some are good at debating (uk).
What is the 3rd Function of Parliaments/Legislature ?
Legislation & Policy-making: Parliaments can make laws relating to public policies:
- Negative Powers: Express opinion → Delay legislation (suspensive power) → Veto legislation (refuse the proposal)
Filibuster: A tactic to delay or kill the legislation (by long speech).
- Positive Powers: Amendment of legislation
(ex: parliament can agree with the proposal but may give amendment changes to it) → initiation of legislation (it can initiate their own legislation; not waiting for the govt.)
What are the features of parliaments internal structures?
- Number of Chambers
- Parliamentary Committees
- Members: important factors
What are the two possibilities: Number of Chambers:
1) Unicameral Parliament: A single chamber legislative body. (e.g. Sweden, Norway, Denmark, New Zealand ).
- this system is faster & more efficient
2) Bicameralism: A two chamber legislative body (e.g. US, Germany, UK)
Two types:
- Systematic Bicameralism: Powers of the chambers are more or less equal.
(ex: US senate & House of Representatives - similar powers)
- Asymmetric Bicameralism: One chamber has more powers than the other (Upper chamber more powerful → lower chamber less powerful)
ex: UK - House of Commons has more power than the House of the Lords)
Parliamentary Committees: Places for specialization
What are 3 important questions ?
- Are they permanent (standing) or ad-hoc committees (selected)?
- Are they specialized (more permanent committees = more powerful parliament)?
- When do committees of parliament get a legislative proposal (first of second reading of the bills)?
What are two important factors wit Members of the parliament?
The size of parliament:
➔ The larger the parliament = less likely that members of parliament achieve the linkage function, more issues with reaching a decision/coordination.
The incumbency rates (% of returning parliament members).
➔ The higher the turnover rate = the higher the specialization and experience in parliament.
What is the Ideal-Typical Powerful Parliament (Legislature):
- Elected independently of the executive.
- Members elected in small constituencies.
- Large powers to monitor the executive.
- Right to veto and initiate legislation.
- Symmetric bicameralism, but NOT too large chambers.
- Permanent and specialized parliamentary committees.
- Professional and experienced members of parliament (MPs).
