Die Ausgestaltung der parlamentarischen Agendamacht - Pladoyer fur eine holistische Analyse von Parlamenten

In: Politische Vierteljahresschrift: PVS : German political science quarterly, Band 53, Heft 1, S. 29-52

Abstract

This article calls for a holistic perspective on parliamentary change through the analytical lens of parliamentary agenda powers. In addition to agenda control, the concept of agenda powers not only refers to the ability of parliamentary actors to directly influence parliamentary output through legislation (efficiency), but also to exert indirect influence through controlling the government (effectiveness) and through affecting public opinion (legitimacy). The concept of agenda powers comprises the formal institutional rules underlying the distribution of the parliamentary agenda, the factual application of these rules and the organisational powers enabling actors to make use of their time. The distribution of agenda powers can be explained by the sequencing of legitimacy, effectiveness, and efficiency reforms. Consequently, the concept of parliamentary agenda powers allows for a comparative long-term analysis of parliamentary change. Furthermore, the concept of parliamentary agenda powers enables us to operationalise normative scenarios of a de-parliamentarisation and the alleged transitions towards post- or neo-parliamentarian democracy. Adapted from the source document.