Legislature in Governance: Legislature as the Backbone of Governance 1200 Words
The legislature forms part of the three limbs of governments: the executives and judiciary. It is the bedrock of any democratic system of government. This is because it makes the policies, laws, and governance systems within a country. Through the processes of creating laws, amending them, and nullifying laws, this arm of government makes the framework of governance remain relevant to society’s needs. The article shows the composition, powers, and functions of the legislature in order to promote justice, democracy, and accountability.
What is the Legislature?
The legislature is an elected body meant to make laws and policies. A legislature can be either unicameral or bicameral depending on the nature of government in place. In India, the Parliament is of the bicameral variety with two houses: Lok Sabha, the House of the People, and Rajya Sabha, the Council of States. Similarly, the United States has Congress with a House of Representatives and the Senate.
In a parliamentary system such as India, the legislature is also critical to the executive because it is the party or coalition commanding a majority in the legislature that constitutes the government. In a presidential system of the United States variety, on the other hand, there is more likely to be a much more marked separation between the legislature and the executive.
The Functions of the Legislature
Law making is the central role, but it has a good deal more functions. Among them are the following:-
Law making:-
The law making or legislature is responsible for the introduction, deliberation, and passing of laws that govern the country. Such laws should be in line with the constitution and consistent with the people’s expectation. For example, education, healthcare, or conservation legislations are very essential to human development.
Representation:-
Since the members of legislature are an epitome of people, they are supposed to reflect the various grievances, hopes, and concerns on behalf of their constituencies. The representative function of the legislature will therefore always form the core of any relationship between the government and those who govern, thus democracy is sustained.
Oversight and Accountability:-
Legislatures supervise the working of the executive to bring about transparency and answerability. Question hours, debates, motions of censure, and parliamentary committees are some of the instruments that provide the opportunity for legislators to hold the government accountable for its policy decisions, expenditure, and measures adopted.
Budgetary Function:-
The legislature possesses the power of the purse and the approval of a government’s budget and expenditure, thereby safeguarding the public fund’s appropriation in the proper channel of finance and for the correct purposes.
Constitutional Amendments:-
Hence, the latter will adapt with the society as the power to amend the Constitution is given to many legislatures in democracies.
Examples of amendment that give rights to the marginalized and or reform in the system of governance are led by legislatures.
Policy-making:-
Through debates and deliberations the legislatures create national as well as states’ policies related to issues of huge importance like poverty reduction and economic progress as well as national security.
Types of Legislatures
Unicameral Legislature:-
Under this type, there is just one legislative house or chamber. This system prevails in small countries that need just one chamber adequate to represent the people and pass laws. Denmark and New Zealand are examples.
Bicameral Legislature:-
A two-house system consists of two chambers, known as the lower chamber and the upper chamber. Such systems are prevalent in countries that are larger and federal in nature, such as India, the United States of America, and Canada.
Lower House:-
The Lower House represents the people at large. Members of this house are directly elected. For example, in India, it is known as Lok Sabha, and in the U.S, it is House of Representatives.
Upper House:-
Comprise states, territories, or particular interests that may be elected, nominated, or appointed (e.g. Rajya Sabha in India, Senate in the U.S.).
Challenges Facing Legislatures
Legislatures of the world have a number of challenges that make them ineffective.
Politicisation:-
Too much partisanship often results in legislative gridlocks that hang most of the important decision-making and policymaking on hold.
Corruption and Misuse of Power:-
Cases of corruption among members of parliament lead to a loss of public confidence in the institution and hinder proper governance.
Dominance of the Executive:-
The dominance of the executive has always weakened the legislature’s capacity of most countries, especially those that run parliamentary forms of government.
Lack of Representation:-
Marginalized groups are often underrepresented-the cases of women, minority populations, and other economically underprivileged groups within several legislatures.
Inefficiency and Low Productivity:-
Frequent disruptions, walkouts, and lack of quorum tend to reduce legislative productivity in being able to fulfill their mandates.
Strengthening the Legislature
Legislatures need reforms to be effective in their mandate fulfilment:-
Increasing Transparency and Accountability:-
Live telecastings of proceedings, detailed record-keeping and ethical codes of conduct can strengthen transparency and accountability.
Improving Diverse Representation:-
The representation of the legislator can be made more representative by the adoption of quotas for underrepresented groups or proportional representation.
Checking Overreach of the Executive:-
Institutional checks and balances may be strengthened to curb the interference of the executive branch.
Institutional Capacity Building:-
Periodical training and capacity building of the legislators will provide legislators with better understanding regarding complexities in the policy issues as well as strengthen competencies in decision making.
Civic Engagement:-
Legislatures may be improved to promote civic engagement.
Some of the mechanisms that cross this divide include public consultations, online feedback, and participatory budgeting.
The Indian Legislature: A Case Study
Parliament in India is considered one of the largest and most vibrant legislatures in the world. Its bicameral structure assures representation on all levels – national and state.
Lok Sabha:-
The Lok Sabha, or the House of the People, is elected directly by the people themselves and is the voice of the people. It makes paramount laws and keeps the executive in check.
Rajya Sabha:-
The Rajya Sabha, or the Council of States, represents interests of states and union territories. It acts as a revising chamber checking the legislation passed by Lok Sabha.
State Legislatures:-
Further, India has the state legislature either in a unicameral form or bicameral to address matters at the level of the states.
The Indian legislative system, despite having these strengths, is marred by disruptions, a lack of female representation, and delay in decisions. Reforms to make it more effective and representative, thus strengthening democracy in India, are thus required.
Conclusion:-
The legislature remains the backbone of democratic governance in that it is the embodiment of the will of the people, ensuring accountabilities in government functioning. Its role in law making, citizen representation, and holding the executive accountable cannot be overemphasized.
However, keeping it fresh and relevant in the face of changing times requires responding to new problems and embracing reforms and not wavering in their commitment to democratic value. In such a way, legislatures become strongholds of justice, governance, and progress in society.
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