Parliaments Flashcards
what are the two main legislative bodies?
-parliaments
-legislatures
what are parliaments?
legislative bodies in parliamentary systems of government (Europe)
what are legislatures?
legislative bodies in presidential systems of government (USA, Russia, Latin America)
what are the three main functions of parliaments/legislatures?
- representation
- control and oversight
- legislation and policymaking
what is meant by representation as a function of parliaments/legislatures?
-linkage
-representing
-debate
what does the function of control and oversight of parliaments/legislatures refer to?
activities by which parliament monitors the functioning of the executive branch
what is one way of parliaments/legislatures to achieve control?
vote of no confidence
what are some ways of parliaments/legislatures to achieve oversight?
-questioning the government
-special hearings
-budget control
what are the two types of legislative powers in the context of “legislation and policymaking” as a function of parliaments/legislatures?
negative powers and positive powers
what are negative powers of parliaments/legislatures?
-expressing opinions
-delaying legislation
-vetoing legislation
what are positive powers of parliaments/legislatures?
-amendment of legislation
-initiation of legislation
what is filibuster?
a tactic to delay or kill a legislation through long speeches that prolong debates
what are the three main factors that constitute the structure of parliaments/legislatures?
- number of chambers
- parliamentary committees
- members
what are the different types of parliaments/legislatures based on the number of chambers?
-unicameral parliament (has only one house)
-bicameral parliament (has two houses)
what are some examples of unicameral parliaments?
Sweden, Norway, Denmark
what are some examples of bicameral parliaments?
United States, Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands
what are two different types of bicameral parliaments?
Symmetric vs. Asymmetric Bicameralism
what is Symmetric Bicameralism?
powers of both chambers are equal
what is Asymmetric Bicameralism?
second chambers are weaker than the first
what are parliamentary committees in parliaments/legislatures?
Places for specialisation
what are the two types of parliamentary committees in parliaments/legislatures?
Permanent (Standing) vs. Ad-hoc (Select) committees
what are the two important factors in terms of members in parliaments/legislatures?
-size of parliament
-incumbency rates
why is the size of parliament important?
smaller parliaments are more efficient in decision making
why are incumbency rates important?
more experienced MPs form better governments and oppositions
