Principles of Parliamentary Procedure - Purposes

Purposes

Demeter writes:

This author adjudges the object of parliamentary law to be to transact the assembly's business legally and to control the conduct of its members...Rules are necessary because it is dangerous to rely on the inspiration of the moment for standards of action or conduct. Hence, rules are set up for three necessary purposes: (1) For orderly procedure. Without it, the meeting would result in utter confusion, chaos and disorder–just as would be the case in a ball game or card game if there were no rules to go by and each player did as he pleased. (2) For the protection and liberty of the minority. That is why, for instance, parliamentary law provides that "Every member shall have the right to debate main motions," and "Debate cannot be shut off except by a two-thirds vote of the body," thus affording the minority freedom of speech and liberty from constraint. (3) For the expression of the will of the majority. It is axiomatic that an assembly functions best when the majority rules. Hence, democratic self-government implies that the minority, however convinced of its own wisdom, consents to be ruled by the majority, until in orderly process it can make itself the majority.

TSC states that "The purpose of parliamentary procedure is to facilitate the transaction of business and to promote cooperation and harmony."

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