The New Roles of Parliamentary Committees


Book Description

This publication is devoted to developing an understanding of the new roles of parliamentary committees in the quest for effective parliamentary influence in and contribution to democratic government.




Parliamentary Committees in the Policy Process


Book Description

This book sheds new light on the often shadowy, but essential role of committees, which exist in modern parliaments around the globe, and it questions the conventional notion that the ‘real’ work of parliament happens in committees. Renowned country specialists take a close look at what goes on in committees and how it matters for policy making. While committees are seen as the central place where policy is made, they often hold their sessions closed to the public and calls for transparency are growing. To understand this "black box" it is necessary to look within but also beyond the walls of the committee rooms and parliament buildings. Bringing together formal and informal aspects, rules and practices shows that committees are not a paradise of policy making. They have great relevance nonetheless: as crystallization points in the policy networks, as drivers for division of labor and for socialization and the integration of MPs. The new insights presented in this book will be of interest to scholars, students and professionals in parliamentary affairs, legislative studies, government, and comparative politics. They are also relevant for political analysts, journalists, and policymakers.







The New Roles of Parliamentary Committees


Book Description

Parliaments had been expected to decline in significance at the end of the 20th century, but instead they have developed new and vital political roles and have innovated their institutional structure in parliamentary committees, not only in a few parliaments, but as a global phenomenon.







Organising the European Parliament


Book Description

The recent empowerment of the European Parliament makes this a timely study of the impact of its internal organisation on legislative politics, interest representation and democracy within the Union. Using data on all legislators and legislative proposals in the 6th parliamentary term, the book confronts alternative theories of legislative organisation in rigorous statistical analyses supported by rich interview information. The findings indicate that the internal setup and legislative output of the parliamentary committees serve the policy goals of parties in the European Parliament, and in particular the working majority party, rather than special interests or purely informational needs, which the author explains with the formal and informal parliamentary rules. As the committees advance party politics instead of particularistic policies, she concludes that legislating within the committees is positive for democracy in the European Union and raises concerns about the loss in transparency, legitimacy and accountability that the increasingly common fast-track bicameral decision-making outside the committees entails.




Parliamentary Committees


Book Description

In twenty years, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association has organized six study groups of members of Commonwealth Parliaments to discuss various topics of interest and importance and, in most cases, reports or books have been the outcome of these meetings. Following on from the 1995 CPA conference on Parliament and People - making democratic institutions more representative, responsible and relevant, the executive Committee of the CPA decided to establish another study group on the functioning of committees in Commonwealth Parliaments with a view to recommending ways in which committee systems can enhance the performance and public perception of Parliament and Parliamentarians. This volume is a compilation of the findings and recommendations of this study and is intended as a resource for students of Parliament, as well as practitioners of the art of politics throughout the Commonwealth.




Parliament and Accountability


Book Description




Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, 12th edition


Book Description

The only current authorized edition of the classic work on parliamentary procedure--now in a new updated edition Robert's Rules of Order is the recognized guide to smooth, orderly, and fairly conducted meetings. This 12th edition is the only current manual to have been maintained and updated since 1876 under the continuing program established by General Henry M. Robert himself. As indispensable now as the original edition was more than a century ago, Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised is the acknowledged "gold standard" for meeting rules. New and enhanced features of this edition include: Section-based paragraph numbering to facilitate cross-references and e-book compatibility Expanded appendix of charts, tables, and lists Helpful summary explanations about postponing a motion, reconsidering a vote, making and enforcing points of order and appeals, and newly expanded procedures for filling blanks New provisions regarding debate on nominations, reopening nominations, and completing an election after its scheduled time Dozens more clarifications, additions, and refinements to improve the presentation of existing rules, incorporate new interpretations, and address common inquiries Coinciding with publication of the 12th edition, the authors of this manual have once again published an updated (3rd) edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised In Brief, a simple and concise introductory guide cross-referenced to it.




Reform in the House of Commons


Book Description

Describes and evaluates a major change in the British House of Commons, introduced in 1979: select committees, staffed exclusively by backbenchers, are charged with monitoring government ministries. Interviews with over 100 parliamentary members and staff suggest that giving otherwise minor legislat