Pg 1 Development of Parliamentary Regimes and Democracy
Parliamentary democracy is the product of the twentieth century and in
many countries developed only after 1918. There were some attempts to
create such a system during the European revolutions of 1848 without
leading to consolidated systems. What Huntington has called the first long
wave of democratization (1828–1926) in the light of research on
parliamentary systems was only parliamentarization. Parliamentary
government is characterized by a government responsible to the majority in
parliament. Democracy was added to the parliamentary regimes only later.
The minimal criterion of democracy is universal suffrage. In most countries
with a regime of constitutional monarchy, such as Britain, Scandinavia, or
the Benelux countries, democracy was introduced later than parliamentary
regime. Only in some rather authoritarian monarchies was democratic
universal suffrage introduced or preserved without granting a
parliamentary regime with responsible government (France, 1851 in the
Second Empire Germany 1871 in the Empire of Bismarck) (see Table 1).
Pg 2 MEMBERS
In most countries following a parliamentary democracy, the members of the
national legislature are commonly referred to as Members of Parliament
(MPs). Depending on the specific structure of the parliament (unicameral or
bicameral), there might be additional specific titles for members of the
upper or lower houses. For example:
In countries with a bicameral system like the United Kingdom, members of
the lower house are specifically called Members of Parliament (MPs), while
members of the upper house are Peers (in the House of Lords).
In Canada, members of the lower house are Members of Parliament (MPs),
and members of the upper house are Senators.
In India, members of the lower house are Members of Lok Sabha (MPs), and
members of the upper house are Members of Rajya Sabha (MPs).
In Australia, members of the lower house are Members of the House of
Representatives (MPs), and members of the upper house are Senators.
Pg 3 QUALIFICATIONS
Regarding the qualifications for members in a parliamentary democracy,
while specific requirements can vary from country to country, some
common qualifications are frequently found:
1. Citizenship: Generally, a candidate must be a citizen of the country
they seek to represent.
2. Age: There is usually a minimum age requirement, which varies
depending on the country and sometimes between the upper and
lower houses of parliament. For example, it might be 18, 21, 25, or 30
years old.
3. Voter Registration: Candidates are often required to be registered
voters in a constituency within the country.
4. Sound Mind and Solvency: Candidates are typically required to be of
sound mind and not declared bankrupt or insolvent.
No Criminal Record: Individuals with serious criminal convictions may be
disqualified from running for office. The specific types of offenses and the
duration of disqualification vary.
No Holding an Office of Profit: There are often restrictions on holding
certain government positions or offices that could create a conflict of
interest. The definition of "office of profit" can be complex and is usually
defined by law.
5. Other Qualifications Prescribed by Law: Parliaments may enact
additional qualifications. For instance, some countries might have
residency requirements for candidates in the constituency they wish
to represent.
6. It’s important to note that these are general trends, and the precise
qualifications are defined by the constitutional and electoral laws of
each specific parliamentary democracy
Pg 4ELECTION METHOD
In a parliamentary democracy, the method of election focuses on electing
representatives to the parliament, who then play a crucial role in forming
the government. Here's a breakdown of key aspects:
Core Principles:
7. Election of Parliament:
1. The primary election is to choose members of parliament (MPs).
2. Citizens vote for individuals to represent their constituencies.
8. Formation of Government:
1. The political party or coalition that wins a majority of seats in
parliament forms the government.
2. The leader of the majority party typically becomes the head of
government (Prime Minister).
9. Accountability:
1. The government is accountable to the parliament and can be
removed by a vote of no confidence.
Common Electoral Systems:
1. First-Past-the-Post (FPTP):
1. This system divides the country into electoral districts
(constituencies).
2. The candidate with the most votes in each district wins.
3. This system is used in countries like the United Kingdom,
Canada, and India.
4. A potential issue with this system is that a party can win a
majority of seats without winning a majority of the popular vote.
2. Proportional Representation (PR):
1. This system aims to allocate seats in parliament in proportion to
the number of votes each party receives.
2. Various forms of PR exist, such as party-list PR and single
transferable vote (STV).
3. PR is used in countries like Germany, New Zealand, and Ireland.
4. This system generally allows for a wider range of political views
to be represented in parliament.
3. Mixed Systems:
1. Some countries use a combination of FPTP and PR, known as
mixed-member proportional (MMP) systems.
2. This aims to balance the local representation of FPTP with the
proportionality of PR.
Pg 5 Key Considerations:
1. Universal Suffrage:
1. Most parliamentary democracies operate on the principle of
universal adult suffrage, meaning all adult citizens have the
right to vote.
2. Election Management:
1. Independent electoral commissions are often established to
ensure free and fair elections.
3. Political Parties:
1. Political parties play a significant role in parliamentary
democracies, organizing candidates and presenting platforms to
voters.
In essence, the method of election in a parliamentary democracy is
designed to produce a representative parliament that can form a
government accountable to the people.
It's important to note that these are general trends, and the precise qualifications are defined by
the constitutional and electoral laws of each specific parliamentary democracy
Pg 6 DISTRIBUTION OF POWER
Distribution of power in a parliamentary democracy:
Fusion of Executive and Legislative Powers: Unlike presidential systems
with a strict separation of powers, parliamentary democracies feature a
close relationship, often a fusion, between the executive and legislative
branches.
Executive Drawn from Legislature: The head of government (Prime Minister
or equivalent) and the cabinet ministers are typically members of the
parliament and remain accountable to it.
Parliamentary Sovereignty (in some systems): In some parliamentary
systems (like the UK), Parliament is considered supreme and can make or
unmake any law. The executive derives its authority from and is answerable to Parliament.
Accountability of the Executive: The government (executive) is collectively responsible to the
parliament and can be removed through a vote of no confidence. This ensures ongoing
accountability.
Checks and Balances: While there's a fusion, checks and balances still exist. Parliament
scrutinizes the executive through debates, question periods, committees, and the power to
reject legislation or budgets.
Role of the Judiciary: The judiciary remains an independent branch, responsible for
interpreting laws and ensuring they are consistent with the constitution and other legal
frameworks. Judicial review can act as a check on both the executive and the legislature.
Head of State vs. Head of Government: Many parliamentary democracies distinguish
between a ceremonial head of state (President or Monarch) and the head of government
(Prime Minister), who wields executive power.
Decentralization/Federalism (in some cases): In parliamentary democracies with federal
structures, power is also distributed between the central government and regional or state
governments, each with its own elected legislature and executive.
Influence of Political Parties: Political parties play a crucial role in the distribution of
power, as the party or coalition with a majority in parliament forms the government. The
dynamics between the ruling party and the opposition are central to the functioning of
the system.
Rule of Law: The distribution of power operates within the framework
of the rule of law, meaning everyone, including those in power, is
subject to and accountable under the law.
PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY IN UK
