In this article you will learn about the Functions of Legislature in Political Science.
Functions of Legislature
In a democratic political system, the legislature plays an important role through the performance of several key functions. Besides acting as the agency for law-making, it acts as the custodian of the national purse, as the institution of control over the executive, and as the institution responsible for amending the constitution as and when the need may be.
Legislatures are key institutions of democratic governance, responsible for making laws that govern a country. They perform a range of functions that are crucial for the functioning of democratic societies, including representation of the people, lawmaking, oversight of the executive branch, and the formulation of national policies.
A legislature of a modern liberal democratic political system performs the following main functions :
Representation of the People : The primary role of a legislature is to represent the views and interests of the people. Members of the legislature are elected by the citizens of a country and are therefore accountable to them. They are responsible for bringing the concerns and needs of their constituents to the attention of the government and for advocating on their behalf.
Law-making Functions : The most important function of a Legislature is to legislate i.e. to make laws and regulations. They are responsible for making laws that govern a country. They consider proposed laws, hold hearings and debates, and vote on the final form of the legislation. The laws passed by the legislature have the force of law and are binding on all citizens and institutions within the jurisdiction of the country.
Deliberative Functions : Deliberation upon matters of national importance, public problems, issues, policies is an essential function of legislature. With this function, the legislature reflects the public opinion over numerous issues. Through this function, the legislature makes the executive aware of the views, opinions, aspirations, difficulties or grievances of the people. The deliberative function of the legislature, as such, serves as a basic process by which the executive comes to know about the demands of public opinion.
Oversight of the Executive Branch : Legislatures play an important role in overseeing the actions of the executive branch of government. They have the power to investigate the actions of the executive, to hold hearings and to call for the production of government documents and information. This helps to ensure that the executive branch is accountable to the people and that it is acting in the best interests of the nation.
Custodian of National Finances : It is an universal rule that the legislature of the state is the custodian of the national purse. It exercises full power and control over the national finances and no money can be raised or spent by the executive without the consent and approval of the legislature. Even expenditures charged on the consolidated fund of the state are made with the knowledge of the legislature.
Formulation of National Policies : Legislatures are involved in the formulation of national policies on a wide range of issues. They consider and debate issues such as the economy, education, health care, the environment, and national security, among others. The policies formulated by the legislature help to guide the actions of the government and shape the future direction of the country.
Control over the Executive : Legislature has the power to control over the executive. The manner, nature and extent of legislature control over the executive is different from state to state, nevertheless it is always there and in almost all the systems.
Budgetary Functions : Legislatures are also responsible for approving the government's budget. They review the budget proposed by the executive and make decisions on how much money will be allocated to various government programs and initiatives. This helps to ensure that government spending is transparent and accountable and that resources are being used in the best interests of the people.
Constituent Services : In addition to their broader legislative functions, members of the legislature also provide a range of constituent services to the people they represent. They may help constituents to resolve problems with government agencies, provide information on government programs and services, and advocate on behalf of their constituents with the government.
In conclusion, the role of a legislature is critical to the functioning of democratic societies. They provide representation to the people, make laws, oversee the executive branch, formulate national policies, approve budgets, and provide constituent services. These functions are crucial for ensuring that the government is accountable, transparent, and responsive to the needs and concerns of the people.
Thus, the legislative organ of the government plays an important and active role in the exercise of the sovereign power of the state. It is the legal sovereign in the state and the chief source of law.
This article on Functions of Legislature in Political Science is contributed by Dipshikha Anand. If you like LawStudyPoint.com do follow us on our Twitter handle.