Parlemens
Parlemens is a term used in political theory to describe a hybrid deliberative assembly that combines representative institutions with participatory, citizen-led forums. In its standard form, Parlemens supplements a traditional elected parliament with a chamber or council of randomly selected citizens who meet to deliberate on policy proposals and produce recommendations that accompany the legislature’s ordinary bills. Recommendations are typically advisory, though some variants grant limited binding force on specific issues or during certain policy cycles.
The concept emerged in late 2000s and early 2010s in discussions of democratic legitimacy and deliberative
Typical design features include a separately constituted Parlemens component alongside the main legislative body; members of
In practice, pilots and theoretical studies report mixed results: increases in perceived legitimacy and cross-partisan understanding,
Critics argue that Parlemens risks inefficiency or tokenism, while supporters see it as a pathway to more