parliaments

Question 1

what are the main functions of parliaments (3)

Answer 1

1. representation
2. control and oversight
3. legislation and policy making

Question 2

parliaments in decline thesis

Answer 2

gradual shift of power from legislature to executive

Question 3

monism & dualism

Answer 3

ideally parliaments should properly control the government

Question 4

how do parliaments “represent”?

Answer 4

through linkage and protection of interests of voters

Question 5

ways MPs protect the interests of their voters?

Answer 5

1. delegates
2. trustees
3. partisan

Question 6

what’s constitutency service?

Answer 6

listening to your voters district magnitude is important

Question 7

how do legislatures “control”?

Answer 7

vote of no confidence- can they vote out so

Question 8

how do legislatures “oversight”?

Answer 8

1. special hearings
2. question time
3. budget control

Question 9

negative powers

Answer 9

express opinion => delay legislation => veto legislation

Question 10

positive powers

Answer 10

amendment => initiation of legislation

Question 11

fillibuster

Answer 11

delaying legislation with long speech

Question 12

what are legislative bodies called in presidential systems?

Answer 12

legislatures - “separation of power”

Question 13

what are legislative bodies called in parliamentary systems?

Answer 13

parliament - “fusion of power”

Question 14

what are parliamentary committees

Answer 14

where mps can translate their specialist knowledge to policy

Question 15

what are the two types of parliamentary committees?

Answer 15

1. permanent

2. ad hoc

Question 16

permanent committees

Answer 16

fixed sets of com.’s established every time

Question 17

ad hoc committees

Answer 17

established for a specific bill

Question 18

first reading

Answer 18

proposal is first debated on the floor of the parliament

Question 19

second reading

Answer 19

proposal directly read in committees.

Question 20

incumbency effect

Answer 20

electoral bonus for mp’s already in the parliament when they campaign

Question 21

what are the 7 qualities of an ideal typical parliament

Answer 21

1. elected independently from exec
2. elected in small constituencies
3. can monitor exec
4. right to veto / initiate legislation
5. symmetric bicameralism
6. permanent and specialized com’s
7. professional and experienced mp’s

Question 22

whipping

Answer 22

mp’s need to vote with party

Question 23

when parties are strong….

Answer 23

legislature / parliaments are weak