“Parliaments powers have been reduced to merely rubber-stamping the decisions made by the executive. Discuss this statement with regard to the position and function of legislatures in presidential and parliamentary systems of government in established democracies.”

Parliament is essentially the legislative section of the British political system. It is an asymmetric bycameralist system, the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The House of Commons is easily the more dominant. Its’ functions are fundamentally five fold; representation; legislation; scrutiny and influence of the executive; debate on contemporary issues; and recruitment to Government. The House of Lords generally holds the same functions, but can be seen as weaker. It also holds extra elements such as judicious and constitutional safeguard roles. Policy making can therefore no longer be seen as a role for Parliament….(short extract)