PDA at Work—Exploring Impact in Stability

Abstract

Some parliaments in developing countries, specially newer democracies, are more effective than others in fulfilling parliamentary role as an oversight body. However, the question remains—do strengthened parliament and its oversight functions actually lead to a parliamentary anti-corruption approach? How effective is the development aid—PDA in strengthening parliamentary oversight work? Through a brief analysis of designated country cases—Bangladesh and Ghana—in this chapter, the book attempts to answer the question. It explains the contrasts that exist across countries. It analyses each type of explanation including, historical background; political contexts; the constitutional powers of the legislature; whether the system is parliamentary or presidential; institutional challenges, including the existing organizational structure and resources of the legislature; executive–legislative relations; the fragmentation and organization of the party system and its relations with parliament; targetted  international engagements; and aid effectiveness.