The Power Of Parliaments: Understanding Why And How Parliamentary Power Changes In Transitioning Democracies

This dissertation aims to answer four main questions about parliaments: How do we conceptualize parliamentary power? How do we measure it? Why does parliamentary power change? And has it changed in some of the countries in the Arab region? The last question is of particular importance given that Arab parliaments have been largely understudied and dismissed as window dressing used by authoritarian regimes to prolong their rule. The dissertation relied on two case studies, that of the Lebanese and Moroccan House of Representatives, to answer these questions. The dissertation argues that parliamentary power is a two-dimensional concept. The first dimension is the de jure powers delegated to parliament by the laws of the country, including the constitution. The second dimension is parliament’s de facto capacity to act on the powers granted to it by these laws. The distinction between the two dimensions is crucial to arrive at more comprehensive theories on parliamentary institutions. Contrary to the general belief that constitution making in the Arab region is a tactic that authoritarian regimes resort to in order to solidify their rule, this dissertation argues that representative constitution-making processes presented pacting moments, during which the different political groups negotiated their access to power, which positively impacted the powers granted to parliament. Evidence based on the content the analysis of constitutions in Lebanon and Morocco supported this argument.The dissertation argues that the de facto power of parliament, mainly its ability to carry out its legislative and oversight functions, is determined by three major variables: the nature of the executive-legislative relationship, the organizational capacity of the parliament, and the role and types of political parties represented within it. The analysis relied on two original data-sets and interviews with parliamentarians, ministers, and parliamentary staffers, among others. Contrary to conventional wisdom, the evidence presented in the chapters indicates an increase in the powers of the two parliaments over time. The findings of this dissertation warrant future research of Arab parliaments to better understand these institutions, how they have developed and continue to develop under less than ideal conditions.