parliaments Flashcards
what are the main functions of parliaments (3)
- representation
- control and oversight
- legislation and policy making
parliaments in decline thesis
gradual shift of power from legislature to executive
monism & dualism
ideally parliaments should properly control the government
how do parliaments “represent”?
through linkage and protection of interests of voters
ways MPs protect the interests of their voters?
- delegates
- trustees
- partisan
what’s constitutency service?
listening to your voters district magnitude is important
how do legislatures “control”?
vote of no confidence- can they vote out so
how do legislatures “oversight”?
- special hearings
- question time
- budget control
negative powers
express opinion => delay legislation => veto legislation
positive powers
amendment => initiation of legislation
fillibuster
delaying legislation with long speech
what are legislative bodies called in presidential systems?
legislatures - “separation of power”
what are legislative bodies called in parliamentary systems?
parliament - “fusion of power”
what are parliamentary committees
where mps can translate their specialist knowledge to policy
what are the two types of parliamentary committees?
- permanent
2. ad hoc
permanent committees
fixed sets of com.’s established every time
ad hoc committees
established for a specific bill
first reading
proposal is first debated on the floor of the parliament
second reading
proposal directly read in committees.
incumbency effect
electoral bonus for mp’s already in the parliament when they campaign
what are the 7 qualities of an ideal typical parliament
- elected independently from exec
- elected in small constituencies
- can monitor exec
- right to veto / initiate legislation
- symmetric bicameralism
- permanent and specialized com’s
- professional and experienced mp’s
whipping
mp’s need to vote with party
when parties are strong….
legislature / parliaments are weak
