Week 3 - Legislative and parliament

what is legislation

• legislation is established through acts or statutes

bill

proposed legislation

law/act

an approved bill

from where does legislation derive authority?

from elected powers

parliament

• legislative bodies representing the people

• they primarily make laws and oversee the executive government

which institution performs a similar function to the parliament in presidential systems?

In the US the congress performs a similar function

types of parliaments

1. Bicameral

2. Unicameral

Unicameral

consists of a single legislative chamber

Bicameral

• 2 separate chambers or houses

functions of the lower chamber in a bicameral system

• Lower chamber is elected by the public

• Lower houses almost always hold the exclusive right to initiate tax laws, spending bills, and national budget

• Most major national policies, social reforms, and everyday laws are drafted, debated, and passed here first

• In parliamentary systems (like the UK or Netherlands), the Prime Minister and Cabinet must maintain the majority support of only the Lower House to stay in power

functions of the upper chamber in a bicameral system

• review, delay, or refine the laws passed by the lower chamber

• to prevent what the American Founders called the "tyranny of the majority."

what historical reasons are there for bicameralism (NL, Ethiopia, UK)?

NL = chambers counterbalance legisaltive power

Ethiopia = ensures representation of diverse ethnic groups

UK = reflects historical social class distinction

Mandate

Authority granted to representatives (usually through an election) to act on behalf of people

Competence

specific legal powers assigned to the parliament (pass laws, approve budget)

Types of Bicameral systems

1. Symmetrical bicameralism

2. Asymmetrical bicameralism

symmetrical bicameralism

• both chambers have roughly equal power

• for a bill to become law it usually must be passed by both houses in exact same form

asymmetrical bicameralism

one chamber is significantly more powerful than the other

core functions of parliaments

• law making / budget approval / treaty ratifying

• holding account to

• representation / formation gov

what is the reasoning for parliament doing budget approval?

budget authority ensures the government cannot spend without legislative approval

what is the reasoning for parliament to be doing treaty ratifying

ensures democratic involvement