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Parliament

Definition

A parliament is a legislative body of government, primarily responsible for making, amending, and repealing laws. It often consists of two houses (bicameral), an upper house and a lower house, but can be unicameral in some political systems.

Analogy

Imagine a parliament as the control room of a large ship where the crew (members of parliament) discuss and decide the direction, speed, and path the ship (country) should take. Just like the captain needs agreement from key officers to change course, laws need approval from various members through debates and votes.

Related terms

Legislation: The process of making or enacting laws.

Bicameralism: A system of government in which the legislature comprises two separate houses or chambers.

Majority rule: A decision-making process that follows the principle that the greater number should have greater power, typically used in parliamentary decisions

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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.