Legislative configuration and strength through the idea of Ends Independence

Abstract

ABSTRACT Prior approaches to evaluating legislative strength cross-nationally have focused on the idea of Means Independence, defined as the procedural autonomy of a legislature. However, expanded Means Independence might not necessarily effect policy effects outside the chief executive’s preference, referred to as Ends Independence. Spatial models estimate the influence of different configurations of legislative processes on Ends Independence. Findings show that an increase in Means Independence does not simultaneously increase Ends Independence. Ends Independence can be guaranteed only when the opposition has the right to propose first, and results are minimally affected by new information updated through the exercise of Means Independence. These findings demonstrate the importance of understanding the overall structure of the legislative process to assess legislative power vis-à-vis an authoritarian executive.