Benchmarking and Self-Assessment for Parliaments
With international focus on good governance and parliamentary effectiveness, a standards-based approach involving benchmarks and assessment frameworks has emerged to evaluate parliament's performance and guide its reforms. The World Bank's has been a leader in the development of these frameworks, stewarding a global multi-stakeholder process aimed at enhancing consensus around parliamentary benchmarks and indicators with international organizations and parliaments across the world. The results so far, some of which are captured in this book, are encouraging: countries as diverse as Australia, Canada, Ghana, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Zambia have used these frameworks for self-evaluation and to guide efficiency-driven reforms. Donors and practitioners, too, are finding the benchmarks useful as baselines against which they can assess the impact of their parliamentary strengthening programs. The World Bank itself is using these frameworks to surface the root causes of performance problems and explore how to engage with parliamentary institutions in order to achieve better results. The World Bank can identify opportunities to help improve the oversight function of parliament, thus holding governments to account, giving 'voice' to the poor and disenfranchised, and improving public policy formation in order to achieve a nation's development goals. In doing so, we are helping make parliaments themselves more accountable to citizens and more trusted by the public.
1145601329
Benchmarking and Self-Assessment for Parliaments
With international focus on good governance and parliamentary effectiveness, a standards-based approach involving benchmarks and assessment frameworks has emerged to evaluate parliament's performance and guide its reforms. The World Bank's has been a leader in the development of these frameworks, stewarding a global multi-stakeholder process aimed at enhancing consensus around parliamentary benchmarks and indicators with international organizations and parliaments across the world. The results so far, some of which are captured in this book, are encouraging: countries as diverse as Australia, Canada, Ghana, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Zambia have used these frameworks for self-evaluation and to guide efficiency-driven reforms. Donors and practitioners, too, are finding the benchmarks useful as baselines against which they can assess the impact of their parliamentary strengthening programs. The World Bank itself is using these frameworks to surface the root causes of performance problems and explore how to engage with parliamentary institutions in order to achieve better results. The World Bank can identify opportunities to help improve the oversight function of parliament, thus holding governments to account, giving 'voice' to the poor and disenfranchised, and improving public policy formation in order to achieve a nation's development goals. In doing so, we are helping make parliaments themselves more accountable to citizens and more trusted by the public.
29.99 In Stock
Benchmarking and Self-Assessment for Parliaments

Benchmarking and Self-Assessment for Parliaments

Benchmarking and Self-Assessment for Parliaments

Benchmarking and Self-Assessment for Parliaments

eBook

$29.99 

Available on Compatible NOOK devices, the free NOOK App and in My Digital Library.
WANT A NOOK?  Explore Now

Related collections and offers

LEND ME® See Details

Overview

With international focus on good governance and parliamentary effectiveness, a standards-based approach involving benchmarks and assessment frameworks has emerged to evaluate parliament's performance and guide its reforms. The World Bank's has been a leader in the development of these frameworks, stewarding a global multi-stakeholder process aimed at enhancing consensus around parliamentary benchmarks and indicators with international organizations and parliaments across the world. The results so far, some of which are captured in this book, are encouraging: countries as diverse as Australia, Canada, Ghana, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Zambia have used these frameworks for self-evaluation and to guide efficiency-driven reforms. Donors and practitioners, too, are finding the benchmarks useful as baselines against which they can assess the impact of their parliamentary strengthening programs. The World Bank itself is using these frameworks to surface the root causes of performance problems and explore how to engage with parliamentary institutions in order to achieve better results. The World Bank can identify opportunities to help improve the oversight function of parliament, thus holding governments to account, giving 'voice' to the poor and disenfranchised, and improving public policy formation in order to achieve a nation's development goals. In doing so, we are helping make parliaments themselves more accountable to citizens and more trusted by the public.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781464803284
Publisher: World Bank Publications
Publication date: 03/28/2016
Series: Directions in Development - Public Secto
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 322
File size: 11 MB
Note: This product may take a few minutes to download.

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

From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews