Parlamentarische Kontrolle im Wandel

Exercising control over the government and administrative bodies is a quintessential function of parliaments. But what does parliamentary control mean? How does it take place? How do the majority and the opposition take part in it? And do its mechanisms change? These questions are the focus of this comprehensive political science study, the first on this topic in over 30 years. It provides an overview of how and to what effect control instruments are used. Eight case studies — of conventional administrative authorities and modern public agencies — investigate the informal interactions between each body, and an intricate network between parliament, the ministries and their subordinate administrative bodies becomes apparent. Impulses of parliamentary control are often adopted by executive experts early on. These channels may be hard to perceive, but taking them into account renders any general fears about parliament losing control unwarranted.