Dynamics of Legislative Executive Relations

Although it has become increasingly common for scholars to argue that legislative power has declined globally relative to executive authority, the empirical record remains mixed. In some countries, legislatures have indeed weakened in comparison to the executive branch, while in others they continue to function as strong and influential institutions. This variation raises several important questions addressed in this volume:What explains differences in the balance of power between legislatures and executives?Has executive power expanded relative to legislative authority?Have legislatures become more assertive in response to executive dominance, and what factors account for these dynamics?In Dynamics of Legislative–Executive Relations, Irina Khmelko and John Ishiyama examine the contemporary factors shaping legislative power across political systems. Drawing on a diverse set of country case studies—including post-communist democracies, developing democracies in Asia, and long-established democratic systems—the volume highlights the wide range of institutional, political, and contextual factors that influence the balance between legislatures and executives. Taken together, this book offers a nuanced and comparative perspective on the evolving relationship between legislative and executive branches. It will be of particular interest to students and scholars of comparative politics, legislative studies, and democratic governance, as well as to those concerned with the future of democratic institutions worldwide.