Table of Contents
Foreword xiii
Preface xv
Acknowledgments xvii
Abbreviations xix
Introduction Mitchell O'Brien 1
Summary 1
Outline of the Book 2
Systems of Benchmarks 3
The Evaluation Criteria 4
Trends in Governance and Benchmarks 4
The Cases of Sri Lanka, Canada, and Australia 5
References 6
Chapter 1 Benchmarks and Self-Assessment Frameworks for Parliaments Lisa von Trapp 7
Introduction 7
Key Actors and Assessment Frameworks 9
Parliamentary Benchmarks and Self-Assessment Frameworks as Part of a Larger Trend 13
The Frameworks: Commonalities and Differences 15
The Frameworks and Gender 18
Initial Guidelines for Using the Frameworks and Experiences at the National Level 19
Conclusions 22
Annex 1A Overview of the Process, 2004-10 23
Annex 1B Key Actors and Assessment Frameworks 27
Annex 1C International IDEA's Questions on the Democratic Effectiveness of Parliament 32
Annex 1D The Frameworks: Commonalities and Differences 33
Annex 1E Regional Perspectives 51
Notes 56
References 58
Chapter 2 The IPU's Self-Assessment Toolkit David Beetham 61
Introduction 61
Possible Contexts for Using the Toolkit 62
Issues Covered by the Toolkit 62
Using the Toolkit 63
Use of the Toolkit to Date 67
Conclusion and Next Steps 68
Annex 2A: Full List of Self-Assessment Questions 69
Note 71
References 71
Chapter 3 Benchmarks for Commonwealth Parliaments and Legislatures Akbar Khan 73
Background 73
Development of the Benchmarks 74
Content of the Benchmarks 76
Development of Regional Benchmarks 76
Going Forward 77
Annex 3A: Recommended Benchmarks for Democratic Legislatures 81
Annex 3B: Recommended Benchmarks for Codes of Conduct for Parliamentarians 87
Notes 92
References 95
Chapter 4 The Democratic Reality of Parliaments: What Evaluation Criteria? M. Pascal Terrasse 97
Introduction 97
Role of the APF 98
Development Process of the Evaluation Method 99
Specific Content of the Evaluation Criteria 100
Challenges of Developing Evaluation Criteria for the Francophone World 107
Conclusion 108
Notes 109
References 109
Chapter 5 The Parliamentary Confederation of the Americas: Toward the Consolidation of Parliamentary Democracy Jacques Chagnon 111
Introduction to COPA 111
Development of the Benchmarks 112
The Adoption and Looking Forward 113
Annex 5A: Recommended Benchmarks for the Parliaments of the Americas 114
Notes 126
References 126
Chapter 6 Benchmarking for Democratic Parliaments Anthony Staddon Dick Toomstra 127
Introduction 127
Merits of Benchmarking 127
Systems of Benchmarking 128
Parliamentary Entry Points for Benchmark and Assessment Frameworks 131
Conclusion 134
Notes 135
References 136
Chapter 7 Parliamentary Benchmarks: A Requisite for Effective Official Development Assistance Alice French 139
Introduction 139
Decentralization of the Aid Program, Budget Support, and the Trend to Country Ownership 140
Implications of the New Aid Model for Donor Organizations 143
Budget Support and the Implications for Parliaments 147
Benchmarks Required for Mutual Accountability 149
Conclusion 151
Notes 152
References 153
Chapter 8 The Role of Parliamentary Monitoring Organizations Andrew G. Mandelbaum Daniel R. Swislow 155
Introduction 155
Roles and Effects of PMOs 156
Development of Normative Frameworks for Democratic Parliaments and Global Emergence of PMOs 158
The Declaration as a Contribution to International Parliamentary Norms and Standards 160
Content of the Declaration 162
Benefits of Greater Collaboration between PMOs and Parliaments on Normative Frameworks 166
Strengthening the Capacity of PMOs to Refine and Apply Democratic Norms and Standards 170
Notes 171
References 172
Chapter 9 The African Parliamentary Index Rasheed Draman 175
Introduction 175
Parliamentary Capacities in Africa 175
Purpose and Scope of the API 177
Approach and Methodology 177
Conclusion 179
Annex 9A: Self-Assessment for African Parliaments-Parliaments' Role in the Budget Process 180
Note 196
References 196
Chapter 10 Assessing Parliamentary Oversight in Sri Lanka Raja Gomez 197
Introduction 197
Background 197
IPU Toolkit for Self-Assessment 198
CPA Benchmarks and the Sri Lankan Parhament 206
Conclusion 223
Notes 224
References 225
Chapter 11 Building on the CPA Benchmarks to Establish a Parliamentary Accountability and Management Framework: The Case of Canada Jill Anne Joseph 227
Introduction 227
Guidelines for Benchmarking Frameworks 228
Identifying Core Products, Processes, and Services 230
Conclusion 237
Notes 237
References 238
Chapter 12 Rating the ACT Legislative Assembly against CPA Benchmarks for Democratic Legislatures: From an "A-" to an "AA"? Wayne Berry Tom Duncan 241
Introduction 241
The First Benchmark Exercise: 2006 242
The Second Benchmark Exercise: 2011 245
Conclusion 248
Annex 12A: Results of the First Benchmarking Exercise 248
Notes 257
Reference 257
Chapter 13 Assessing Parliament Using the CPA Benchmarks and the IPU Toolkit: A Personal Perspective from Kiribati Hon. Taomati Iuta 259
Background 259
Objective of the CPA Benchmarking Exercise 260
Practical Applications Leading to Valuable Assessments 261
A Higher Standard for Kiribati's Parliament 261
Concluding Remarks: A Vision for Kiribati 263
Annex 13A: CPA Recommended Benchmarks for Democratic Legislatures-Kiribati 264
Annex 13B: Application of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Toolkit in Kiribati 271
Note 275
Chapter 14 Assessing Parliament Using the CPA Benchmarks: A Personal Perspective from Bermuda Jennifer Smith 277
Introduction 277
Results of the Benchmark Exercise 278
New Benchmarks 281
Conclusion 282
References 282
Chapter 15 The African Parliamentary Index: Case Studies Rasheed Draman 283
Introduction 283
Representation 284
Legislation 285
Power of the Purse 286
Parliamentary Oversight 287
Institutional Capacity 289
Transparency and Integrity 289
Overall Ranking 290
Conclusions and Recommendations 293
Note 294
Chapter 16 Other Benchmarking Experiences at the National Level Lisa von Trapp 295
Introduction 295
Cambodia 296
Colombia 297
Pakistan 297
Rwanda 298
Notes 299
References 299
Boxes
1A.1 Process Events Timeline 25
1B.1 Overview of Categories Covered in the National Democratic Institute of International Affairs Standards Publication 27
1B.2 Overview of Categories Covered in the CPA Recommended Benchmarks for Democratic Legislatures 29
1B.3 Overview of Categories Covered in the APF Criteria 30
2.1 Toolkit Example 63
6.1 Country-Specific Factors That Can Affect Benchmark Exercises 129
6.2 Assessment Frameworks for Democratic Parliaments: Areas of Consensus 133
8.1 Parliamentary Monitoring Organizations' Use of Benchmarks: PILDAT 159
8.2 Activities of Parliamentary Monitoring Organizations: Parliamentary Ethics 163
Figures
1.1 Parliamentary Report Card 13
1.2 Sample of Report Card Performance Area and Related Indicators 14
15.1 Weighted Capacity Ratio: Representation 285
15.2 Weighted Capacity Ratio: Legislation 286
15.3 Average Weighted Capacity Ratio: Financial Function 287
15.4 Average Weighted Capacity Ratio: Oversight Function 288
15.5 Average Weighted Capacity Ratio: Institutional Capacity of Parliament 289
15.6 Weighted Capacity Ratio: Transparency and Integrity 290
15.7 Weighted Averages of Assessment Ratings per Capacity Area 291
15.8 African Parliamentary Index: Seven Country Rankings 291
15.9 Areas of Capacity in Which Countries Are Close to Best Practice 293
Tables
1B.1 IPU Framework on the Parliamentary Contribution to Democracy 31
1D.1 Comparative Table of the CPA Benchmarks, NDI Standards, and APF Criteria 34
1F.1 Comparative Table of. Standards or Benchmarks in the Category "Elections" 54
