Gatekeeping Essay ⋆ Political Science Essay Examples ⋆ EssayEmpire

Gatekeeping is a practice used by legislative bodies to allow only selected measures to be debated or voted upon. Gatekeeping is alternatively known as exclusive proposal power and jurisdictional dominance. It may take several procedural forms, including action by legislative committees to obstruct or delay measures, or actions by legislative leaders to prevent votes on bills. Gatekeeping can serve to force consensus on issues, but it can also serve to obstruct popular legislation. Systems in which gatekeeping occurs have strong institutional power vested in legislative leaders such as the speaker or committee chairs.

Gatekeeping is typically undertaken to prevent debate or votes on a measure that is opposed by committee chairs or members, who believe that the measure would otherwise be enacted by the full legislature. The practice may also be utilized to avoid debate on a contentious matter that could embarrass or undermine the majority party or grouping. Consequently, scholars have asserted that the most significant power of a legislative committee is the ability to say “no” or prevent action on a measure.

Gatekeeping can also occur at the supranational level. For instance, the European Commission has a gatekeeping function within the European Union and can prevent certain legislative acts.

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