PARLIAMENT, POLITICS AND POLICY MAKING Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

PARLIAMENT, POLITICS AND POLICY MAKING - Essay Example This is not, however, the case. The argument is that Westminster wields relatively weak influence in matters of policy for several reasons. The most prominent of these are: 1) the two parties of the British political system exercise more control; 2) the executive branch of the government is the sole decision-making agency; and, 3) the existence of the policy communities. This paper will investigate this issue and determine the role of Westminster and its extent in British policymaking in actuality. Background In order to understand the role of the British Parliament in the state's policies, it is important to explain its nature, its function and how it works. Westminster is divided into two chambers - the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The former is consisted of elected legislators while the latter is composed of the British peerage. Until the twentieth century, both of these chambers were crucial in the legislative process. The House of Commons - akin to many Democratic or Republican states' lower or congressional chamber - passes bills that are submitted to the House of Lords for approval. Reforms, however, clipped the power of the upper chamber and that it was reduced as a subordinate in the legislative process. ... And so, essentially, the most important variable that would ideally demonstrate the role of Westminster in policymaking is with regards to legislation. Bills can only be passed by the Parliament. For a detached observer, one that is exclusively familiar with the workings of the United States government, for example, would say that the power dynamics behind Westminster's governmental role is the same as that of the American Congress wherein policymaking is the responsibility of congressional members, committees and subcommittees. This is in addition to the fact that the body is empowered to control the government budget. They have the so-called power of the purse, a variable that, in itself could, ideally, influence and shape policies. It is, hence, surprising for outsiders to find that in actuality, Westminster's role in policymaking is considered insignificant or not as potent as that of the American legislature. For some sectors, this may also prove confusing because it is inconsis tent to the very ideals and the obvious mandate that the two chambers of the British Parliament stand for. Since Westminster is the highest authority in legislation and the laws that are promulgated out of it form part of the policies of the UK, how did it end up portraying a minor role in the policy network? The answer to this question lies in the complexities of the British political system, the very reason behind the fact that the legislative process is not all there is to making laws and decision-making. On Policymaking As has been raised earlier, Westminster has the power to legislate. But this does not necessarily translate into a particular capability to shape, much less influence policy