Democracy requires a set of institutional means to realise the fundamental democratic values of social equality and political representation. These include guaranteed frameworks of citizen rights; institutions of representative and accountable government; a vibrant civil society; and a range of mediating institutions between government and citizens, such as parliaments. Parliaments have come to embody the central institution of a democracy, and are at the heart of many of its activities. They have developed a reputation as a forum for the expression of civil and political forces, where the repercussions of rights claimed take on resonance and where the key functions of legislation and oversight are carried out. They are also undergoing significant change, in their efforts to become more genuinely representative of their electorates and connected with constituencies, more open and transparent in their procedures, and more effective in carrying out their law-making and legislative responsibilities.
Parliaments are democratically elected by their constituents, whether as single-chamber or bicameral legislatures; have an executive component, either hereditary or elected, in which a prime minister is appointed from the political party with a majority of seats, or as a coalition of parties; and usually have a judicial function. They also have the power to pass a motion of no confidence in the government, which can lead to its resigning or to a new general election taking place. The present article draws on submissions to the IPU’s “Report on Parliamentary Democracy” programme, and seeks to provide a broad overview of how these features are manifested in the practices of parliaments.
About the Author
