Parliaments are core institutions of democratic societies. In addition to the constitutional framework that stipulates a parliament’s powers and relations with other institutions, a parliamentary system commonly has specific institutional rules that govern how it is organised and operates. These rules can provide the means for MPs to be effective and free in their legislative activities, as well as develop their capacities over time.
A parliament’s role as a representative institution requires that it be able to engage citizens effectively. To accomplish this, many parliaments have developed outreach offices or are becoming more innovative in their approaches to promoting access to the institution. Almost all parliaments broadcast plenary and committee hearings on radio or television. This is an important tool that allows citizens who cannot physically attend to observe how parliament works and what is being discussed in a given instance.
Many parliaments also rely on the work of committees to carry out their legislative function, in particular by conducting thorough investigations into draft laws. Parliamentary committees usually require expert staff with training in parliamentary procedure, law and legal drafting. Moreover, parliaments often rely on external expertise when examining the exact scope of draft legislation and its consequences from various societal perspectives (e.g. legal, environmental, economic or social).
The effectiveness of a parliament can be measured in part by its ability to engage with citizens, especially during constituency visits. A good relationship with constituents can be a determining factor in an MP’s success or failure in fulfilling their legislative mandate, and it is therefore essential that parliamentarians have the resources and flexibility to engage with citizens.