Parliamentary procedure facts for kids
Parliamentary procedure is a commonly accepted way in which a group of people work together to discuss and make decisions. It is a set of rules for meetings.
Contents
History
The term gets its name from its use in the Parliamentary system of government.
In the 16th century, there were rules of order in the early British Parliaments. In the 1560s, Sir Thomas Smith published a book about the procedures in the House of Commons in 1583. Early rules included
- One subject should be discussed at a time (adopted 1581)
- Personal attacks are to be avoided in debate (1604)
- Debate must be limited to the merits of the question (1610)
- Division of a question when some seem to be for one part but not the other (1640)
Westminster procedures
The Westminster parliamentary procedures are followed in several Commonwealth countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, and South Africa. In Canada, for example, Parliament uses [House of Commons Procedure and Practice as its primary procedural authority.
American procedures
The rules of the United States Congress were developed from the parliamentary procedures used in Britain. Variations of the American parliamentary procedures are followed in many nations, including Indonesia, the Phillipines, Mexico and South Korea.
Other
In contrast, the procedures of the Diet of Japan have moved away from the British parliamentary model. After the end of World War II, there were efforts to bring Japanese parliamentary procedures more in line with American congressional practices. In Japan, informal negotiations are more important than formal procedures.
Robert's Rules
In the US, the most widely used set of rules is Robert's Rules of Order.
Related pages
Images for kids
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The European Parliament during a plenary session in 2014.
See also
In Spanish: Derecho parlamentario para niños
