Legislature | Class 11 Political Science Notes

WHY DO WE NEED A PARLIAMENT?

The Parliament is not merely a law-making body; it is the central arena of democratic political processes. It is a vibrant forum where debates, protests, walkouts, unanimity, concern, and cooperation occur, all serving vital democratic purposes. A genuine democracy is inconceivable without a representative, efficient, and effective legislature. The legislature holds the government accountable to the people, which is the essence of representative democracy. Although in many democracies, including India, the executive or Cabinet initiates policies and sets the governance agenda, the Parliament retains democratic potential by requiring the executive to maintain majority support and answer to it. The Parliament is recognized as one of the most democratic and open forums for debate and is the most representative organ of government. It also holds the power to choose and dismiss the government, ensuring democratic checks and balances.

📊 Diagram: Figure on page 2

🧪 Activity: Analyze newspaper reports on government decisions and parliamentary responses to assess legislature's role in controlling the executive.

🔗 Connection: Introduces the need for a bicameral Parliament, leading to the next section.