Strengths and Weaknesses of the Parliament
STENTHGS AND WEAKNESSES OF PARLIAMENT
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2008 Question 9
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‘Two strengths of parliament as a law-maker are that it makes laws which reflect the views of the community and can make laws whenever the need arises.’
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Critically examine these two strengths. (6 marks)
The following points could have been used to develop an evaluation of the strengths noted in the question. * Makes laws which reflect views of the community
Strengths
• Parliament is democratically elected and therefore is considered to be able to make laws which reflect their own region/area.
• Parliament can investigate the whole topic and make a comprehensive set of laws.
• Parliament has access to expert information and is therefore better able to keep up with changes in society.
• Parliament provides an arena for debate.
• Parliament can delegate its powers to bodies such as local councils which are considered to be more in tune with the needs of their communities.
• Parliament is able to involve the public in law-making.
Weaknesses
• Investigation and implementation of new laws is time consuming and parliament is not always able to keep up with changes in society.
• Delegated authorities are not all elected by the people and there may be too many bodies making laws.
• It is not always possible to change the law in accordance with changing values in society.
• Parliament can make laws retrospectively, which can be unfair.
• Cabinet’s legislative proposals may dominate law-making by parliament, particularly where the government controls both houses.
• Parliament’s response to community views may not be adequate. * Makes laws whenever the need arises
Strengths
• Parliament can make law in futuro, which means they can make laws even before the need arises.
• Parliament can investigate the whole topic and make a comprehensive
-------------------------------------------------
2008 Question 9
-------------------------------------------------
‘Two strengths of parliament as a law-maker are that it makes laws which reflect the views of the community and can make laws whenever the need arises.’
-------------------------------------------------
Critically examine these two strengths. (6 marks)
The following points could have been used to develop an evaluation of the strengths noted in the question. * Makes laws which reflect views of the community
Strengths
• Parliament is democratically elected and therefore is considered to be able to make laws which reflect their own region/area.
• Parliament can investigate the whole topic and make a comprehensive set of laws.
• Parliament has access to expert information and is therefore better able to keep up with changes in society.
• Parliament provides an arena for debate.
• Parliament can delegate its powers to bodies such as local councils which are considered to be more in tune with the needs of their communities.
• Parliament is able to involve the public in law-making.
Weaknesses
• Investigation and implementation of new laws is time consuming and parliament is not always able to keep up with changes in society.
• Delegated authorities are not all elected by the people and there may be too many bodies making laws.
• It is not always possible to change the law in accordance with changing values in society.
• Parliament can make laws retrospectively, which can be unfair.
• Cabinet’s legislative proposals may dominate law-making by parliament, particularly where the government controls both houses.
• Parliament’s response to community views may not be adequate. * Makes laws whenever the need arises
Strengths
• Parliament can make law in futuro, which means they can make laws even before the need arises.
• Parliament can investigate the whole topic and make a comprehensive