Synoptic Legislatures
Synoptic Legislatures 1
SYNOPTIC LEGISLATURES
Mike Simpson c2003, amended by AJE 2011
Contents
Introduction
p1
Functions
p4
Institutional Arrangements
p10
Role and Power of Second Chambers
p21
Role of Political Parties within the Legislature
p26
Role of Legislators as Delegates or Representatives
p30
The Relationships with the Executive and
Judicial Branches of Government
p36
Issues concerning Representation, Accountability and Sovereignty
p44
Bibliography
p52
INTRODUCTION
Legislatures
Legislatures, executives and judiciaries make up the prin cipal institutions of any government.
Traditionally legislatures, also referred to as parliaments, congresses and assemblies, are highly regarded by democrats, at least in principle, because they usually represent the will of the people.
Most legislatures today, at least in democratic countries, are directly elected and this is the principal source of their legitimacy.
Not only are legislatures regarded politically superior to other branches of government for this reason, they also tend to act as the forum in which major issues of the days are discussed - and sometimes resolved.
Perhaps more importantly, at least in a formal sense, most legislatures have the power to make and unmake law and often act as a check on the executive, scrutinising, criticising and publicising its decisions. Further, in parliamentary systems the executive is drawn directly from the legislature.
There are exceptions to all these generalisations however, but one feature of all modern legislatures is the widespread belief that they are in decline and no longer effectively fulfil their traditional roles.
A final point worth noting is that legislatures vary enormously in their composition, role, responsibilities and powers and that generalisations inevitably require frequent qualificatio n.
One feature that all seem to have
SYNOPTIC LEGISLATURES
Mike Simpson c2003, amended by AJE 2011
Contents
Introduction
p1
Functions
p4
Institutional Arrangements
p10
Role and Power of Second Chambers
p21
Role of Political Parties within the Legislature
p26
Role of Legislators as Delegates or Representatives
p30
The Relationships with the Executive and
Judicial Branches of Government
p36
Issues concerning Representation, Accountability and Sovereignty
p44
Bibliography
p52
INTRODUCTION
Legislatures
Legislatures, executives and judiciaries make up the prin cipal institutions of any government.
Traditionally legislatures, also referred to as parliaments, congresses and assemblies, are highly regarded by democrats, at least in principle, because they usually represent the will of the people.
Most legislatures today, at least in democratic countries, are directly elected and this is the principal source of their legitimacy.
Not only are legislatures regarded politically superior to other branches of government for this reason, they also tend to act as the forum in which major issues of the days are discussed - and sometimes resolved.
Perhaps more importantly, at least in a formal sense, most legislatures have the power to make and unmake law and often act as a check on the executive, scrutinising, criticising and publicising its decisions. Further, in parliamentary systems the executive is drawn directly from the legislature.
There are exceptions to all these generalisations however, but one feature of all modern legislatures is the widespread belief that they are in decline and no longer effectively fulfil their traditional roles.
A final point worth noting is that legislatures vary enormously in their composition, role, responsibilities and powers and that generalisations inevitably require frequent qualificatio n.
One feature that all seem to have