Thursday, August 18, 2011

Parliament and Civil Society

In the democratic systems, law making power is with the Parliament;no doubts on that! But the law makers have to gause the pulse of the people and use the popular sentiments expressed through the civil society; as a feed back and resource for law making.

Times have changed and so has the Westminster System inherent old notions, that must adapt to the new World! Ideally, the Parliament and the Civil Sociey should complement each other and strengthen the democratic sentiments,systems. There is no conflict of interests here; both are representatives of the people.

It is good to have the bills suggested by the Civil Society and Parliament taking them up as the Private Memeber Bill or Civil Society Bill for discussion or adoption. Many at time the stanign Committees of the Parliement seek the views and suggestion of the general public openly, through the advertisement in the media. Where is the conflict?

Conflict arises when the arrogance of the ruling parties or the Parliamentarians heightens to the level of monopolistics views; bolstered by the growing influence of the civil society outside the Parliament. This state comes (like in India now)due to ineffictiveness and proven inaction by the Parliament to deal with burning issues like transparent systems, eradication of grat/corruption, inclusive development and so on..the long lists.

We need to have a serious and open minded debate on how to dove-tail the vies of the Civil Society and Parliment! Amen!

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