Parliamentary vote
A parliamentary system of government is based on the principle that each item presented for consideration is entitled to free and full debate. Individuals who do not share the viewpoint of a majority are guaranteed that their ideas will be heard, but in the end the will of the majority must prevail. The rules governing such deliberative assemblies are known as parliamentary procedure and can vary from country to country. One of the most influential is Robert’s Rules of Order, formulated by U.S. Army officer General Henry M. Robert (1837-1923) and published in several editions.
The lawmaking function is a key aspect of parliament’s representative function. Citizens must have a sense that their elected representatives are working to serve their interests and uphold the values of their country. The fact that MPs are closer to the people than chief executives or bureaucrats means that they can bring the differences of society into policy-making discussions and thus represent a broader range of citizens.
Effective parliaments conduct outreach with citizens on a regular basis. Many have radio and television broadcasts, websites and publications designed to include citizens in the decision-making process. In addition, some countries have compulsory voting for members of parliament to ensure that they are truly representing the views of their constituents.
Depending upon the electoral system, an MP may be assigned a geographic constituency for which he or she is responsible, or a political party may assign MPs to formal or informal sectoral or ethnic groups through party lists. In either case, the representatives must have a close connection to their constituents in order to carry out their representative functions effectively.
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