essay on decourum of parliment
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Answer:
Decorum generally is defined as “appropriateness and propriety of behavior, conduct or appearance.” Within the legislative environment, decorum relates to “the proper order, etiquette and conduct of members during a floor session.”
Parliamentarians generally agree that debate should not be overly personal. As a result, most legislative assemblies have adopted rules of decorum that place focus on the issue being discussed, not the person speaking.
Members should not refer to each other by proper name. Instead, legislators may be required to address each other by district number, geographic area, county, city or other respectful title. For example, 2017-2018 Missouri House Rule 85 requires a member to refer, as appropriate, to other members as “Lady,” “Gentleman” or “Representative.” According to parliamentarian Alice Sturgis, this practice serves as a reminder that a legislator is speaking not as an individual but as a representative of a constituency.
References to the other chamber, executive branch, judicial branch or the actions thereof are not permitted. According to Mason’s Manual of Legislative Procedure, such references are “inconsistent with the independence of a legislative body.”
Indecent language and disorderly words are prohibited. For example, 2017-2018 Alabama House Rule 50 directs members to “be mindful that children are often present when the House is in session” and to “never use language that is profane, tasteless, vulgar or morally crude.”
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