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Study Cards on assemblies, politics, characterized

What are the three broad categories in which assemblies can be categorized?

- Policy-making assemblies: Rare. It has to have significant constitutional authority and respect. It must enjoy political independence from the executive. It must possess sufficient organizational coherence to undertake concerted action (f.e US congress).

- Policy-influencing assemblies: In parliamentary systems. Can be because of adversary politics, or because of ingrained habitys of negotiation and compromise. Two factors: the strength in the assembly of the governing party, and the party's ability to maintain internal unity.

- Executive-dominated assemblies: often in parties where there is prolonged domination by a single party. Subordinate assembly.

What is adversary politics?

Style of politics characterized by an antagonistic relationship between major parties that turns political life into an ongoing electoral battle.

How have assemblies become more important as 'communicating mechanisms'.

- Assemblies are opening up their proceedings to media, has helped strengthen them as arenas of debate and agencies of oversight.
- Professionalization of assembly work; adoption and strengthening of specialized committees + improvement of resources available to members.
- Assemblies are becoming more critical and independent as as result of the decline of parties as tightly disciplined blocs.

What is the ultimate thing that matters when it comes to the desirable balance between the assembly and the executive?

A normative judgement about the need for representation and accountability, on the one hand, and for leadership and strong government, on the other.