Parliaments and their Evolution

Abstract

Abstract This paper aims to open a new path for the comparative cross-historical and cross-cultural analysis of deliberating or deciding assemblies. For this purpose, it makes use of a wide concept of parliament, in contrast to the conventional narrow one which focuses on democratic elections and a free mandate. The essay starts with an overview of the large variety of “parliamentarianisms” across history and culture, and then points out the shortcomings of the “historically flat” legislative research conducted to date. It goes on to show how the use of non-biological evolutionary theory can enhance comparative historical research on institutions. Finally, it is demonstrated how “institutional morphology”, which draws a distinction between no fewer than five different forms of similarity, can be fruitfully used for empirical research into parliaments in particular, and institutions in general.