The term "parliament" refers to the national legislative body in many countries, where elected representatives discuss and pass laws. While the concept of a parliament is common worldwide, different countries have their own names and structures for these legislative bodies. In this article, we will explore the names and roles of the parliaments in three countries: the United Kingdom, India, and Japan, along with an overview of their key functions and differences.
The Parliament of the United Kingdom is the supreme legislative body in the UK. It is one of the oldest parliamentary institutions in the world, dating back to the 13th century. The UK Parliament consists of two houses: the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The main function of Parliament is to make and pass laws, scrutinize the government, and represent the interests of the public.
The House of Commons is the lower house of the UK Parliament and is made up of Members of Parliament (MPs) who are elected by the public in general elections. Each MP represents a specific constituency, and the party with the most MPs typically forms the government. The House of Commons has more power than the House of Lords, as it can initiate and pass legislation, especially budgetary matters.
The House of Lords is the upper house of the UK Parliament and consists of appointed members, including life peers, bishops, and hereditary peers. The House of Lords reviews and revises legislation proposed by the House of Commons but cannot veto bills. It plays a crucial role in checking the decisions made by elected MPs in the Commons, ensuring a thorough examination of laws.
In 2019, the UK Parliament was at the center of the Brexit process, with MPs debating and voting on various bills related to the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union. The intense scrutiny and series of votes within Parliament shaped the course of the UK's exit from the EU, demonstrating the importance of parliamentary procedures in decision-making.
The Parliament of India is the supreme legislative body of India and is responsible for making and passing laws, representing the people, and overseeing the government’s actions. The Indian Parliament follows a bicameral structure, consisting of two houses: the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States).
The Lok Sabha, or House of the People, is the lower house of the Indian Parliament. It consists of 545 elected representatives who serve five-year terms. The Lok Sabha is directly elected by the people of India in general elections, with each member representing a specific constituency. The majority party in the Lok Sabha forms the government, and the Prime Minister is appointed from among its members.
The Rajya Sabha, or Council of States, is the upper house of Parliament and represents the states and union territories of India. Unlike the Lok Sabha, the Rajya Sabha’s members are indirectly elected by the members of state legislative assemblies and by members of the Legislative Assemblies of Union Territories. The Rajya Sabha plays a complementary role to the Lok Sabha, primarily acting as a revising chamber that scrutinizes and suggests changes to legislation proposed by the lower house.
In 2017, the Indian Parliament passed the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Act, a landmark piece of legislation that overhauled India’s tax system. The bill was debated and voted on in both houses of Parliament. The Lok Sabha passed the bill, while the Rajya Sabha reviewed and made suggestions before it was enacted. This demonstrates the active role both houses play in shaping India’s laws.
The National Diet of Japan is the legislative branch of the Japanese government and consists of two houses: the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors. Japan’s legislative body is unique in that it is known as the "Diet," a term derived from the German "Reichstag," meaning "assembly." The National Diet has significant powers to pass laws, approve the budget, and control the actions of the executive branch.
The House of Representatives is the lower house of the National Diet and is made up of 465 members who are directly elected by the people of Japan. The house is responsible for initiating most laws and has the final say in matters such as the budget and constitutional amendments. The majority party in the House of Representatives forms the government, and the Prime Minister is selected from its members.
The House of Councillors is the upper house of the National Diet and consists of 245 members. These members are elected for six-year terms, with half of the seats up for election every three years. The House of Councillors primarily acts as a revising chamber, reviewing bills passed by the House of Representatives. However, the House of Councillors cannot block bills indefinitely, and the House of Representatives has the authority to override its decisions in most cases.
In 2012, Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe introduced "Abenomics," a set of economic policies aimed at revitalizing Japan’s economy. The National Diet played a central role in passing laws to implement the policies, including large fiscal stimulus packages, changes to the Bank of Japan’s monetary policy, and structural reforms. The National Diet’s support for these policies was vital in shaping Japan’s economic landscape during that time.
While the UK, India, and Japan each have their own systems for legislating and governing, there are notable similarities and differences in their parliamentary structures:
