Why the beliefs of parliamentarians matter: an interpretive approach to legislative studies

Abstract

ABSTRACT In this article, we argue, following the interpretive approach, that parliamentarians’ beliefs, and the intellectual traditions on which they draw matter. Parliamentary behaviour and legislative practice is the contingent product of the historically discernible beliefs, values, and assumptions of legislators and officials. We argue more particularly that decentred theory can explain change, including transformational phenomena such as Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite much fine legislative studies scholarship (dominated by institutionalism, rational choice theory, and historical institutionalist narratives), the importance of beliefs, traditions, and change can often be overlooked or taken for granted. The time is ripe for scholars to embrace an interpretive approach and decentred theory as fruitful agendas of research in the field of legislative studies.