POL 202 Chapter Notes - Chapter 9 (Leg): Unicameralism, Presidential System, Parliamentary System
3 Nov 2016
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Legislatures--assembly or body of representatives with the authority to make laws. Rise of legislatures instead of executives due to emergence of constitutional & democratic regimes. In less democratic legislatures such as authoritarian regimes legislatures often selected without free & open vote. Many countries have moved towards more democracy & free elections, extending rights to more. Representatives generally make law by proposing legislation, organizing votes, & bringing these to the floor of the legislature. Compromising & horse trading to get votes & get laws passed. One power is power of the purse, meaning they control budget & distribute funds to executive. Specific process of legislation varies, may need to go through multiple houses or committees branch & administrative agencies. Legislatures can be training ground for future roles (president, prime minister) Role of constituent service, help out local citizens. Try to get reelected, believed to be main drive of legislators. Bicameral legislature--legislature with two chambers, which may have equal or unequal powers.
