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 democracy. Proponents view Parlemens as a way to broaden input, slow down hasty decisions, and improve long-term planning by incorporating diverse perspectives. Variants differ in selection methods, term length, and scope of influence.

Typical design features include a separately constituted Parlemens component alongside the main legislative body; members of Parlemens are selected by sortition, or through stratified sampling, for fixed terms. Sessions are held publicly, with expert briefings and moderated deliberation. Outputs often take the form of policy briefs, amendments, or consensus statements that are submitted to the main chamber for consideration.

In practice, pilots and theoretical studies report mixed results: increases in perceived legitimacy and cross-partisan understanding, but higher administrative costs and longer decision timelines. Implementation challenges include ensuring representative participation, safeguarding against manipulation, and integrating deliberative outputs into formal lawmaking.

Critics argue that Parlemens risks inefficiency or tokenism, while supporters see it as a pathway to more robust, legitimate governance. The concept remains primarily theoretical or experimental, with few sustained real-world deployments.