Polity & Society Presentation

8/12/2019 Polity & Society Presentation

1/24

Polity & Society Presentation

Legislature Concept, Types

and Functions


2/24

Branches of Government

Since the time of Aristotle it has beengenerally agreed that political power isdivisible into three broad categories.

1) Legislative Power - Which formulates andexpresses the will of the state.

2) Executive Power To see whether thelaws are being obeyed and there is no

infringement of them.3) Judicial Power To interpret the laws andprotect the rights of the citizens.


3/24

Legislature - Concept

What is Legislature?

A legislature is a type of deliberative assembly withthe power to pass, amend and repeal laws.

The law created by a legislature is called legislation

or statutory law. Legislatures are known by many names, the most

common being parliament.

In parliamentary systems of government, the

legislature is formally supreme and appoints amember from its house as the prime minister whichacts as the executive.


4/24


5/24

Legislature - Types

The primary components of alegislature are one or more chambersor houses.

The Legislatures are broadly dividedinto the following categories:

1. Unicameral Legislature

2. Bicameral Legislature


6/24

Legislature - Types

Unicameral Legislature:

A legislature with only one house is called asan Unicameral Legislature.

More Common in Communist countries likeChina, Singapore, Sri Lanka, New Zealand,etc.

Some of the sub national entities with

unicameral legislatures include Nebraska,Guam and the Virgin Islands in the UnitedStates; Hong Kong, etc.


7/24

Legislature - Types

Advantages of UnicameralLegislature:

1. Permits Speedy Action

2. Avoids obstruction of will of the people

3. Permits clarity of responsibility of the cabinetin the parliamentary system of government.

4. Reduces duplication and confusion of

responsibility relating to legislature.


8/24

Legislature - Types

Advantages of UnicameralLegislature:

5. Adds to the quality and prestige of

legislature.6. It is less expensive

7. Since only one body is responsible forlegislation, there is greater transpearancyand accountability

8. It's easier and cheaper to maintain alegislature with only one chamber and thusfewer representatives.


9/24

Legislature - Types

Bicameral Legislature:

A bicameral legislature possesses twoseparate chambers.

Usually described as an upper house and alower house.

Both the houses differ in duties, powers, andthe methods used for the selection of

members. Examples: Parliament in India, Parliament in

Italy, Parliament in Malaysia.


10/24

Speaker of the Lok Sabha

Smt. Meira Kumar


11/24

Legislature - Types

Advantages of Bicameral Legislature:1. Provide a check on Hasty and ill-considered

legislation.

2. Avoid despotism of a single chamber.3. Help public opinion to crystallize by

interposing delay.

4. Reflect the popular will at all times and there

is no time lag in doing that.


12/24

Legislature - Types

Advantages of Bicameral Legislature:5. Help divide the work load.

6. Do useful and careful revision of legislation.

7. Allow representation to different classes andgroups.

8. Account for their necessity in a federation.

9. Protect individual freedom against legislative

despotism.


13/24

Legislature Functions

Functions of the Legislature are alsodivided in the following categories:

1) Legislative Functions

2) Deliberative Functions3) Financial Functions

4) Administrative Functions

5) Judicial Functions

6) Constituent Functions7) Electoral Functions

8) Miscellaneous Functions


14/24

Legislature - Functions

Legislative Functions:

The first and foremost function of thelegislature is to make laws.

Keeping a close watch on thedirection of the public opinion,

Making new laws, amending old laws,and canceling obsolete and uselesslaws.


15/24


Deliberative Functions:

More or less similar to Legislativefunctions. It is more


16/24


Financial Functions:

Raising Revenues

Incurring Expenditures Presentation, consideration and

authorization of Budgets.

No money can be raised or spent bythe executive without the priorconsent and approval and legislature.


17/24

Lok Sabha (Vote of Confidence Motion)


18/24


Administrative Functions:

Supervising the executivefunctions/activities i.e. Controlling theexecutives.


19/24


Judicial Functions:

Impeachment Proceedings


20/24


Constituent Functions:

Adding new laws or makingamendments to the constitution of acountry.


21/24


22/24


Electoral Functions:

Appointing the President and Vice-President.

Casting a vote incase of any tie.


23/24


Miscellaneous Functions:

Removing of Judges

Appointment of Committees andCommissions


24/24

Documents

Polity & Society Presentation