Why do we need a parliament?

[Nadine Toukan]

Doesn't it feel like we're at a point in time when we should be inventing another system of representation, voice and accountability?

Serious question:  why do we need/want a parliament?

Related: Representation, imagine a new structure.

[Khaled Gharaibeh]

good question, I really don't know why we need it:)
it has been a good time since the last parliament was adjured, and the government did more than 2 dozens of decrees since then:) and things are moving as time passes.
anyway, even with a parliament, what does it REALLY do to the people? I never saw a direct reflection of the parliament on th people, or even indirect.

thanks for the question.

[Nadine Toukan]

Thanks for the note. You're right.

Questions are easy... what are the options for answers?

[Yusuf Mansur]

We don't really! Not as long as we do not have parties that form governments, and we do not have parties. For what good is a good parliamentarian? He/she could not alone form a development framework for Jordan, monitor its implementation, and advocate compliance.

[Nadine Toukan]

So what do we do?

[Zeid abu-Odeh]

I'm not sure I understand your question. We need a Parliament that represent the people not assigned and controlled by the government

[Nadine Toukan]

Why do we need that representation in the form of the parliament as we know it?

About representation today, as people (blanket generalization), I think we don't know how to define representation well, let alone build ourselves a system that can do it well. We don't have many amazing stories it seems. That's a major reason why we're here today. So maybe there's a new way that needs to be created.

It's going to change one day in history, so maybe the time is now.

[Mohanned]

I am currently reading "the life and death of democracy" by John Keane. In the book he argues that representational democracy is morphing into something else, namely monitory democracy. Media,bloggers,NGOs,watchdogs, etc... are becoming more influential than ever..Anyways, check it out. It is a LONG book, and I am still starting to read it.

[Nadine Toukan]

Sounds like an immediate must read. Will order one now, and ask for another 100 copies - good eid gifts!

So we missed that boat. No point trying to solve for the past. Can we be smart this time round and take a leap forward?!

[Tanya Kasim]

This question needs a more thoughtful answer. I could be wrong, but aren't the people in parliament supposed to be leading by example and inspiring that feeling of belonging? Who's really benefiting from a parliament?

[Nadine Toukan]

By looking at the campaigning going on, this is no example to be followed. Sad state of affairs.

[Mahmoud Lattouf]

Thank you for raising the question!

Honestly, I don't think we really need a parliament. We had several useless ones before. It is a waste of efforts and money. Those members of parliament receive monthly salaries and have so many privileges that they don't deserve. Then after their term ends, they still receive monthly salaries! For God's sake, in a country like Jordan, why would you pay monthly salaries to people who can afford spending hundreds of thousands of dollars for their campaigns, and for what? They don't serve their people and they don't serve their country. Plus, we pay for their endless trips that cost the country a fortune.

Elections in this country is a time for endless lies and free meals. It is a waste!

There definitely should be another more efficient and honest system of representing people.

Every time I say we reached the bottom, I discover that we can do better and reach new bottoms! How pathetic!

Mahmoud

[Nadine Toukan]

I agree that we don't need such a parliament. I don't know what the alternative form of representation should be. Or do we even need it at all? I can usually see the upside of things, but on this one specific topic, I've run out of positive opitons. We all lose.