The chapter explains to us how assemblies are bodies primarily formed for the purposes of operating governments in structured bureaucratic ways such that democracy can run smoothly in our framework. Yet, from what I've witnessed so far, neither of these functions are being fulfilled in our current scenario.
Legislation: A key function of assemblies set to ensure fairness and popular vote for critical law making is rarely seen here. I see very little positive or negative legislative power of our assemblies whereby laws such as blasphemy are prevalent and no debate is being undertaken and whose like Salman Taseer who do discuss its abolishment are shot in out political culture. How then, can we have a confidence in out legislative power of assemblies to produce and correct laws for our betterment when the most critical issues such as sectarian killing and terrorism are wandering free from and reaction in legal formation terms?
Representation: A joke. "A parliament is nothing less than a big meeting of more or less idle people" says Bagehot. Never heard a more accurate quote. How many times have we all witnessed videos of parliament meeting with many prominent members doing nothing but utilizing that time to take their afternoon naps? There is no representation in any way. And these bodies are nothing more than discussionary panels producing no outcomes. If representation were fair Ahmedis, Shias, Christians and all other minority sects would have their voice clearly and loudly heard!
Scrutiny: Bodies set up to check executive power is how this purpose is upheld. Zardari had almost absolute power during the past political tenure and now Nawaz enjoys the same privilege. Lavish fundings, never ending security protocols, large personnel staffs and wealth being piled in Swiss banks all come part and parcel with winning elections and public offices. There is NO check on the power of those ruling us.
Recruitment and training: Assemblies are well known for providing a talent pool from which decision makers emerge but here all most parliamentarians do is engage in useless rhetoric instead of acquiring useful bureaucratic skills to run the government. Assembly seats are being sold at crores and hence are corrupted by power. These parliamentarians are too distanced from the needs of their constituents to even address the issues of grass-root party workers therefore this purpose too is left unfulfilled.
Legitimacy: They're meant to present the regime in a legitimate light as rightful. That, is clearly failing. They were meant to function a popular conventions and to mobilize public consent regarding the ruling party but because the educational role has been hijacked by the media so the assemblies really have little or no influence in the political socializing of the common man.
Why then, do we still have an assembly system when all they are is a face to pacify the public by telling them that this IS democracy. Ironic, indeed.
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