Enhancing effectiveness of parliaments in Africa during crises

Enhancing effectiveness of parliaments in Africa during crises

Author: Melvis Ndiloseh

Publisher: International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA)

Published: 2023-05-11

Total Pages: 67

ISBN-13: 9176716309

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During a crisis such as a public emergency, the effectiveness of parliaments should be assessed by considering their ability to activate in a timely manner the necessary disaster management legislative framework, and to provide oversight to ensure that such legislation is applied by the executive in a necessary, non-discriminatory and proportional way. There are various global and regional frameworks designed to guide parliaments on improving and assessing their effectiveness. The question is whether these guidelines were relevant and helpful as a resource for aiding effective parliamentary responses to the Covid-19 pandemic.


Book Synopsis Enhancing effectiveness of parliaments in Africa during crises by : Melvis Ndiloseh

Download or read book Enhancing effectiveness of parliaments in Africa during crises written by Melvis Ndiloseh and published by International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA). This book was released on 2023-05-11 with total page 67 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: During a crisis such as a public emergency, the effectiveness of parliaments should be assessed by considering their ability to activate in a timely manner the necessary disaster management legislative framework, and to provide oversight to ensure that such legislation is applied by the executive in a necessary, non-discriminatory and proportional way. There are various global and regional frameworks designed to guide parliaments on improving and assessing their effectiveness. The question is whether these guidelines were relevant and helpful as a resource for aiding effective parliamentary responses to the Covid-19 pandemic.


Parliaments and Crisis: Challenges and Innovations

Parliaments and Crisis: Challenges and Innovations

Author: Jonathan Murphy

Publisher: International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA)

Published: 2020-05-11

Total Pages: 87

ISBN-13: 9176713083

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Parliaments in Crisis: Challenges and Innovations is the new Parliamentary Primer produced by the INTER PARES project, funded by the European Union and delivered by International IDEA. Written in the context of the coronavirus pandemic, the Primer looks at how democratic parliaments play a crucial role in making good decisions and protecting citizens’ rights during a crisis. The coronavirus pandemic has deeply impacted how we are governed. Democracies have had to adapt to operating under extreme time pressure, without losing the advantages of transparency, citizen voice, and effective policy feedback loops, that make democracy the most effective and just governance system. Parliaments are the core democratic institution representing citizens throughout the policy cycle; in creating legislative rules that govern society, in ensuring that government implements legislated programmes effectively and fairly, in voting the use of taxpayers’ resources to pay for government services, and in ensuring the diverse views of citizens are heard at every stage. During a crisis, parliaments must carry out the same functions, but more rapidly, and in often adverse circumstances. This Primer focuses on particularly two aspects of parliaments’ responses. First, it looks at how parliaments ensured that emergency measures considered the needs of all parts of the population, and also that any emergency government powers were both limited in time and scope, and subject to parliamentary oversight. Second, the Primer examines how parliaments implemented innovative solutions to enable virtual functioning. The Primer concludes by exploring how parliaments can play a key role in reviewing how effectively government responded to the crisis, identifying lessons to be implemented in improved crisis and disaster planning.


Book Synopsis Parliaments and Crisis: Challenges and Innovations by : Jonathan Murphy

Download or read book Parliaments and Crisis: Challenges and Innovations written by Jonathan Murphy and published by International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA). This book was released on 2020-05-11 with total page 87 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Parliaments in Crisis: Challenges and Innovations is the new Parliamentary Primer produced by the INTER PARES project, funded by the European Union and delivered by International IDEA. Written in the context of the coronavirus pandemic, the Primer looks at how democratic parliaments play a crucial role in making good decisions and protecting citizens’ rights during a crisis. The coronavirus pandemic has deeply impacted how we are governed. Democracies have had to adapt to operating under extreme time pressure, without losing the advantages of transparency, citizen voice, and effective policy feedback loops, that make democracy the most effective and just governance system. Parliaments are the core democratic institution representing citizens throughout the policy cycle; in creating legislative rules that govern society, in ensuring that government implements legislated programmes effectively and fairly, in voting the use of taxpayers’ resources to pay for government services, and in ensuring the diverse views of citizens are heard at every stage. During a crisis, parliaments must carry out the same functions, but more rapidly, and in often adverse circumstances. This Primer focuses on particularly two aspects of parliaments’ responses. First, it looks at how parliaments ensured that emergency measures considered the needs of all parts of the population, and also that any emergency government powers were both limited in time and scope, and subject to parliamentary oversight. Second, the Primer examines how parliaments implemented innovative solutions to enable virtual functioning. The Primer concludes by exploring how parliaments can play a key role in reviewing how effectively government responded to the crisis, identifying lessons to be implemented in improved crisis and disaster planning.


Parliament and Democracy in the Twenty-first Century

Parliament and Democracy in the Twenty-first Century

Author: David Beetham

Publisher: Inter-Parliamentary Union

Published: 2006

Total Pages: 226

ISBN-13: 9291423661

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Book Synopsis Parliament and Democracy in the Twenty-first Century by : David Beetham

Download or read book Parliament and Democracy in the Twenty-first Century written by David Beetham and published by Inter-Parliamentary Union. This book was released on 2006 with total page 226 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:


Accra Agenda for Action

Accra Agenda for Action

Author: OECD

Publisher: OECD Publishing

Published: 2008-09-04

Total Pages: 10

ISBN-13: 9264098100

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Designed to strengthen and deepen implementation of the Paris Declaration, the Accra Agenda for Action (AAA) takes stock of progress and sets the agenda for accelerated advancement towards improving the quality and impact of aid.


Book Synopsis Accra Agenda for Action by : OECD

Download or read book Accra Agenda for Action written by OECD and published by OECD Publishing. This book was released on 2008-09-04 with total page 10 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Designed to strengthen and deepen implementation of the Paris Declaration, the Accra Agenda for Action (AAA) takes stock of progress and sets the agenda for accelerated advancement towards improving the quality and impact of aid.


Judicial Review Systems in West Africa: a Comparative Analysis

Judicial Review Systems in West Africa: a Comparative Analysis

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 2016

Total Pages: 180

ISBN-13: 9789176710524

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This book compares the constitutional justice institutions in 16 West African states and analyses the diverse ways in which these institutions render justice and promote democratic development. There is no single best approach: different legal traditions tend to produce different design options. It also seeks to facilitate mutual learning and understanding among countries in the region, especially those with different legal systems, in efforts to frame a common West African system. The authors analyse a broad spectrum of issues related to constitutional justice institutions in West Africa. While navigating technical issues such as competence, composition, access, the status of judges, the authoritative power of these institutions and their relationship with other institutions, they also take a novel look at analogous institutions in pre-colonial Africa with similar functions, as well as the often-taboo subject of the control and accountability of these institutions.


Book Synopsis Judicial Review Systems in West Africa: a Comparative Analysis by :

Download or read book Judicial Review Systems in West Africa: a Comparative Analysis written by and published by . This book was released on 2016 with total page 180 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book compares the constitutional justice institutions in 16 West African states and analyses the diverse ways in which these institutions render justice and promote democratic development. There is no single best approach: different legal traditions tend to produce different design options. It also seeks to facilitate mutual learning and understanding among countries in the region, especially those with different legal systems, in efforts to frame a common West African system. The authors analyse a broad spectrum of issues related to constitutional justice institutions in West Africa. While navigating technical issues such as competence, composition, access, the status of judges, the authoritative power of these institutions and their relationship with other institutions, they also take a novel look at analogous institutions in pre-colonial Africa with similar functions, as well as the often-taboo subject of the control and accountability of these institutions.


Parliaments’ Contributions to Security Sector Governance/Reform and the Sustainable Development Goals

Parliaments’ Contributions to Security Sector Governance/Reform and the Sustainable Development Goals

Author: Wilhelm Janse van Rensburg

Publisher: Ubiquity Press

Published: 2022-02-24

Total Pages: 97

ISBN-13: 1914481216

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The United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 calls for the establishment of peaceful, just and inclusive societies. The security sector has the potential to contribute to SDG16 through the fulfilment of its traditional and non-traditional security tasks. However, the security sector can also detract from SDG16 when it acts outside the confines of the law. Good governance of the sector is therefore a prerequisite to achieving SDG16, and parliaments can make an important contribution to accountability and good governance. Parliaments contribute to both transparency and accountability of the sector through their various functions and act as a counterweight to executive dominance, including in the executive’s use of security forces. Yet, in times of crisis, states run a risk of executive dominance and executives are often quick to resort to the use of the security sector to address an array of challenges. This risk also emerged during the global Covid-19 pandemic where states used the security sector, notably the military and police, in various ways to respond to the pandemic. This study reviewed the utilisation of the security sector in South Africa, the Philippines and the UK during the first year of the Covid-19 outbreak, resulting in varied outcomes ranging from positive humanitarian contributions to misconduct and brutality that led to the death of citizens. The initial lockdowns in these countries constrained parliamentary activity, resulting in a lack of adequate parliamentary oversight of security sector utilisation when it was most needed. Parliaments did recover oversight of the sector to varied degrees, but often with limited depth of inquiry into the Covid-19 deployments. To prevent the security sector from detracting from SDG16, the study identified a need for a rapid parliamentary reaction capability to security sector utilisation, especially in cases of extraordinary deployments coupled with an elevated risk of executive dominance.


Book Synopsis Parliaments’ Contributions to Security Sector Governance/Reform and the Sustainable Development Goals by : Wilhelm Janse van Rensburg

Download or read book Parliaments’ Contributions to Security Sector Governance/Reform and the Sustainable Development Goals written by Wilhelm Janse van Rensburg and published by Ubiquity Press. This book was released on 2022-02-24 with total page 97 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 calls for the establishment of peaceful, just and inclusive societies. The security sector has the potential to contribute to SDG16 through the fulfilment of its traditional and non-traditional security tasks. However, the security sector can also detract from SDG16 when it acts outside the confines of the law. Good governance of the sector is therefore a prerequisite to achieving SDG16, and parliaments can make an important contribution to accountability and good governance. Parliaments contribute to both transparency and accountability of the sector through their various functions and act as a counterweight to executive dominance, including in the executive’s use of security forces. Yet, in times of crisis, states run a risk of executive dominance and executives are often quick to resort to the use of the security sector to address an array of challenges. This risk also emerged during the global Covid-19 pandemic where states used the security sector, notably the military and police, in various ways to respond to the pandemic. This study reviewed the utilisation of the security sector in South Africa, the Philippines and the UK during the first year of the Covid-19 outbreak, resulting in varied outcomes ranging from positive humanitarian contributions to misconduct and brutality that led to the death of citizens. The initial lockdowns in these countries constrained parliamentary activity, resulting in a lack of adequate parliamentary oversight of security sector utilisation when it was most needed. Parliaments did recover oversight of the sector to varied degrees, but often with limited depth of inquiry into the Covid-19 deployments. To prevent the security sector from detracting from SDG16, the study identified a need for a rapid parliamentary reaction capability to security sector utilisation, especially in cases of extraordinary deployments coupled with an elevated risk of executive dominance.


Parliamentary Oversight of the Security Sector

Parliamentary Oversight of the Security Sector

Author: Philipp Fluri

Publisher: DCAF

Published: 2003

Total Pages: 209

ISBN-13: 8683543102

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Book Synopsis Parliamentary Oversight of the Security Sector by : Philipp Fluri

Download or read book Parliamentary Oversight of the Security Sector written by Philipp Fluri and published by DCAF. This book was released on 2003 with total page 209 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:


Adapting to the New Normal: Political Parties During Lockdown and Social Distancing

Adapting to the New Normal: Political Parties During Lockdown and Social Distancing

Author: International IDEA

Publisher: International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA)

Published: 2020-09-30

Total Pages: 35

ISBN-13: 9176713288

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In several countries, political parties are stepping up their digital presence in the online world. This creates opportunities for political parties to reach a wider potential audience or membership base. Digitalization has been an ongoing process in political parties across the globe, and the current pandemic is likely to accelerate this process. This Primer highlights some of the mechanisms that are being widely used and can be adopted by political parties to allow them to continue to function or operate in times of social distancing and other contexts where restrictions on social gatherings are being enforced. It also presents practical options for digitalization and developing an online presence that parties in different contexts can adapt and optimize to respond to such restrictions, and ideas to support the transformation efforts that parties are undertaking.


Book Synopsis Adapting to the New Normal: Political Parties During Lockdown and Social Distancing by : International IDEA

Download or read book Adapting to the New Normal: Political Parties During Lockdown and Social Distancing written by International IDEA and published by International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA). This book was released on 2020-09-30 with total page 35 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In several countries, political parties are stepping up their digital presence in the online world. This creates opportunities for political parties to reach a wider potential audience or membership base. Digitalization has been an ongoing process in political parties across the globe, and the current pandemic is likely to accelerate this process. This Primer highlights some of the mechanisms that are being widely used and can be adopted by political parties to allow them to continue to function or operate in times of social distancing and other contexts where restrictions on social gatherings are being enforced. It also presents practical options for digitalization and developing an online presence that parties in different contexts can adapt and optimize to respond to such restrictions, and ideas to support the transformation efforts that parties are undertaking.


Democratic Resilience

Democratic Resilience

Author: Robert C. Lieberman

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2021-11-25

Total Pages: 427

ISBN-13: 1009002929

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Politics in the United States has become increasingly polarized in recent decades. Both political elites and everyday citizens are divided into rival and mutually antagonistic partisan camps, with each camp questioning the political legitimacy and democratic commitments of the other side. Does this polarization pose threats to democracy itself? What can make some democratic institutions resilient in the face of such challenges? Democratic Resilience brings together a distinguished group of specialists to examine how polarization affects the performance of institutional checks and balances as well as the political behavior of voters, civil society actors, and political elites. The volume bridges the conventional divide between institutional and behavioral approaches to the study of American politics and incorporates historical and comparative insights to explain the nature of contemporary challenges to democracy. It also breaks new ground to identify the institutional and societal sources of democratic resilience.


Book Synopsis Democratic Resilience by : Robert C. Lieberman

Download or read book Democratic Resilience written by Robert C. Lieberman and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2021-11-25 with total page 427 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Politics in the United States has become increasingly polarized in recent decades. Both political elites and everyday citizens are divided into rival and mutually antagonistic partisan camps, with each camp questioning the political legitimacy and democratic commitments of the other side. Does this polarization pose threats to democracy itself? What can make some democratic institutions resilient in the face of such challenges? Democratic Resilience brings together a distinguished group of specialists to examine how polarization affects the performance of institutional checks and balances as well as the political behavior of voters, civil society actors, and political elites. The volume bridges the conventional divide between institutional and behavioral approaches to the study of American politics and incorporates historical and comparative insights to explain the nature of contemporary challenges to democracy. It also breaks new ground to identify the institutional and societal sources of democratic resilience.


Parliament, the Budget and Gender

Parliament, the Budget and Gender

Author: Joachim Wehner

Publisher:

Published: 2004

Total Pages: 101

ISBN-13: 9789291421879

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This handbook, jointly produced with the United Nations Development Programme, the World Bank Institute and the United Nations Fund for Women, was inspired by a series of regional and national seminars on Parliament and the Budgetary Process, Including from a Gender Perspective. Intended as a reference tool, it sets out practical examples of parliament's active engagement in the budgetary process, seeking to advance parliaments' own institutional capacities to make a positive impact on the budget, and to equip parliament, its members and parliamentary staff with the necessary tools to examine the budget from a gender perspective.--Publisher's description.


Book Synopsis Parliament, the Budget and Gender by : Joachim Wehner

Download or read book Parliament, the Budget and Gender written by Joachim Wehner and published by . This book was released on 2004 with total page 101 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This handbook, jointly produced with the United Nations Development Programme, the World Bank Institute and the United Nations Fund for Women, was inspired by a series of regional and national seminars on Parliament and the Budgetary Process, Including from a Gender Perspective. Intended as a reference tool, it sets out practical examples of parliament's active engagement in the budgetary process, seeking to advance parliaments' own institutional capacities to make a positive impact on the budget, and to equip parliament, its members and parliamentary staff with the necessary tools to examine the budget from a gender perspective.--Publisher's description.