Legislature vs. Parliament: What's the Difference?
Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Published on November 9, 2023
Legislature is a body that creates laws, while Parliament is a specific type of legislature found in parliamentary systems.
Key Differences
Legislature is a broad term that encompasses any official body in a country or state with the power to create laws. Parliament, on the other hand, is a specific form of a legislature predominantly found in countries with a parliamentary system.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 09, 2023
In the context of the Legislature, its members might be elected or appointed, and it may be unicameral (one house) or bicameral (two houses). Parliaments, as specific legislative entities, usually have two houses – an upper and a lower house, though this can vary.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 09, 2023
Legislatures are integral to many forms of government, be it a republic, a monarchy, or a federal system. Parliaments are distinctive in their association with the British style of governance and are adopted by countries that have been influenced by the British system.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 09, 2023
While all Parliaments are Legislatures, not all Legislatures are Parliaments. The term "Legislature" can be used universally for any law-making body, whereas "Parliament" refers to a specific kind of legislature with certain traditions and structures.
Sara Rehman
Nov 09, 2023
The responsibilities of a Legislature encompass the formulation, alteration, and repeal of laws. In a Parliament, beyond these legislative duties, there's an additional function: it might play a role in the executive branch, particularly in selecting or supporting the head of government.
Aimie Carlson
Nov 09, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Global Presence
Universal across many systems
Common in British-influenced systems
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 09, 2023
Relationship with Executive
May or may not influence
Often influences or selects
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 09, 2023
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Legislature and Parliament Definitions
Legislature
A body with the authority to create laws.
The state's legislature passed the bill unanimously.
Sara Rehman
Oct 26, 2023
Parliament
An assembly of representatives, usually bicameral, in certain countries.
The Prime Minister addressed the Parliament yesterday.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 26, 2023
Legislature
An institution that debates and enacts laws for a nation or state.
The legislature's decision was met with public protests.
Harlon Moss
Oct 26, 2023
Parliament
The supreme legislative body in countries like the UK and Canada.
The Parliament passed a resolution in favor of environmental protection.
Harlon Moss
Oct 26, 2023
Legislature
The branch of government responsible for making statutory laws.
The legislature proposed reforms to the education system.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 26, 2023
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Parliament
A body of elected or appointed members that represent the citizenry in parliamentary democracies.
The bill was introduced in Parliament for further discussion.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 26, 2023
Legislature
An assembly or group of individuals who hold the power to legislate.
The legislature meets annually to discuss the budget.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 26, 2023
Parliament
A specific legislative body in a country with a parliamentary system.
The Parliament is in session to discuss the proposed amendments.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 26, 2023
Legislature
An official organized body that has the mandate to craft, modify, or repeal laws.
The new tax reforms were introduced by the legislature.
Janet White
Oct 26, 2023
Parliament
The primary institution for law-making and governance in certain nations.
The Parliament holds debates on current issues affecting the nation.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 26, 2023
Legislature
An officially elected or otherwise selected body of people vested with the responsibility and power to make laws for a political unit, such as a state or nation.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Parliament
A representative body having supreme legislative powers within a state or multinational organization.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Legislature
A governmental body with the power to make, amend and repeal laws.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Parliament
Parliament The national legislature of the United Kingdom, made up of the House of Lords and the House of Commons.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Legislature
(Canada) The legislative assembly of a province or territory, as opposed to the federal parliament.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Parliament
A formal council summoned (especially by a monarch) to discuss important issues.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Parliament
In many countries, the legislative branch of government, a deliberative assembly or set of assemblies whose elected or appointed members meet to debate the major political issues of the day, make, amend, and repeal laws, authorize the executive branch of government to spend money, and in some cases exercise judicial powers; a legislature.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Legislature
The body of persons in a state or kingdom invested with power to make and repeal laws; a legislative body.
Without the concurrent consent of all three parts of the legislature, no law is, or can be, made.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Parliament
A particular assembly of the members of such a legislature, as convened for a specific purpose or period of time (commonly designated with an ordinal number – for example, first parliament or 12th parliament – or a descriptive adjective – for example, Long Parliament, Short Parliament and Rump Parliament).
Following the general election, Jane Doe took her oath of office as a member of the nation's fifth parliament.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Parliament
A parleying; a discussion; a conference.
But first they held their parliament.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Parliament
A formal conference on public affairs; a general council;
They made request that it might be lawful for them to summon a parliament of Gauls.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Parliament
The assembly of the three estates of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, viz., the lords spiritual, lords temporal, and the representatives of the commons, sitting in the House of Lords and the House of Commons, constituting the legislature, when summoned by the royal authority to consult on the affairs of the nation, and to enact and repeal laws.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Parliament
In France, before the Revolution of 1789, one of the several principal judicial courts.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Parliament
A card game in which you play your sevens and other cards in sequence in the same suit as their sevens; you win if you are the first to use all your cards
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
FAQs
What is a Legislature?
A Legislature is an official body with the power to make, amend, and repeal laws.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 09, 2023
Is a Parliament always bicameral?
Mostly, but not always. Some countries have unicameral Parliaments.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 09, 2023
How is a Parliament different?
Parliament is a specific form of a legislature, often associated with the British governance system.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 09, 2023
Can a Parliament also execute laws?
The primary role of a Parliament is to make laws, but in some systems, it may influence the executive branch.
Janet White
Nov 09, 2023
How does a Legislature relate to the judiciary?
While the Legislature makes the laws, the judiciary interprets them.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 09, 2023
Can a Legislature have a single house?
Yes, a Legislature can be unicameral, having just one house.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 09, 2023
Is every country's law-making body called Parliament?
No, only certain countries, especially those influenced by the British system, call their law-making body Parliament.
Harlon Moss
Nov 09, 2023
Who makes up a Parliament?
A Parliament is typically composed of elected or appointed representatives.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 09, 2023
Do all countries have a Legislature?
Most sovereign countries have some form of Legislature to enact laws.
Aimie Carlson
Nov 09, 2023
What's the origin of the word "Parliament"?
It's derived from the French "parler," meaning "to speak."
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 09, 2023
Who heads a Parliament?
It varies, but often a Speaker heads the lower house and a President or Lord heads the upper house.
Janet White
Nov 09, 2023
How are members of a Parliament chosen?
Typically, members are elected, but methods vary based on country-specific electoral systems.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 09, 2023
Can laws proposed in a Parliament get rejected?
Yes, laws can be debated, modified, passed, or rejected in a Parliament.
Janet White
Nov 09, 2023
Where can we find detailed workings of a Legislature?
The workings of a Legislature are usually outlined in the country's constitution or foundational legal documents.
Janet White
Nov 09, 2023
Do Legislatures always function the same way?
No, the functioning and powers of a Legislature vary based on a country's constitution and legal framework.
Sara Rehman
Nov 09, 2023
Are the terms Parliament and Legislature interchangeable?
While all Parliaments are Legislatures, not all Legislatures are Parliaments.
Sara Rehman
Nov 09, 2023
What is a unicameral Legislature?
A unicameral Legislature has only one legislative chamber or house.
Aimie Carlson
Nov 09, 2023
Is the U.S. Congress a Parliament?
No, while both are legislative bodies, the U.S. uses the term "Congress" and not "Parliament."
Sara Rehman
Nov 09, 2023
Why is Parliament significant in democracies?
Parliaments represent the people and play a crucial role in law-making and governance.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 09, 2023
Do both Legislature and Parliament hold equal powers in all nations?
The powers and roles of both vary based on the constitutional framework of each nation.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 09, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma SaeedHuma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.
