Legislative (in)effectiveness in Developing Democracies: The Nigerian Experience

Abstract

INTRODUCTION It is arguable that the legislature is the bulwark of democracy as it occupies a central position in comparative understanding of democratic experience in developing countries. While there can be government without the legislature, there can never be a democracy without the legislature. The legislature epitomizes the existence of democracy in a polity because it distinguishes a democratic government from autocratic government; as both systems have the executive and judiciary arms. Hout’s (2006:26) position gives credence to this argument when he opined that the legislature is clearly the key institution in minimal and liberal democracies around the world. The legislature is seen as the engine of democratic governance, as laws made by it set the agenda for the government and regulate the conduct of the people. Saliu and Muhammed (2010: 73) observed that it also serves as arena for reconciling differences in opinion about policy matter within the state. In addition, its oversight and representational duties are critical to sustainable development which is considered as one of the ends of democracy (Lafenwa, 2009:4). To this end, there is popular consensus among scholars of legislative studies that the significance of the parliament cannot be compromised owing to its important roles in all democratic projects (See Volden and Wiseman, 2013; Carson et al, 2010; Davies, 1996; Saliu and Muhammed, 2010; Alabi and Fashagba, 2010; Mayhew, 1974; Bello-Imam, 2004; Hout, 2006; Aiyede, 2006; Fenno 1978; Zwingina, 2006; Okoosi-Simbine, 2010; Ijaiya, 2010; Egwu, 2005; Ojagbohunmi, 2006; Solomon, 2010; Lafenwa, 2009; Fashagba, 2009; Ishaya, 2010; Wiseman and Wright, 2008; Weissert, 1991; Miquel and Snyder, 2006; Bartels, 1991, 2000; Krehbiel, 1991; Cox and McCubbins, 2005; Aldrich and Rohde, 1997; Arnold, 1990; Canes-Wrone et al, 2002; Erikson and Wright, 2001 among others).