Why the beliefs of parliamentarians matter: an interpretive approach to legislative studies

Beech, Matt; Bevir, Mark

Abstract

In this article, we argue, following the interpretive approach, that parliamentarians’ beliefs, and the intellectual traditions on which they draw matter. Parliamentary behaviour and legislative practice is the contingent product of the historically discernible beliefs, values, and assumptions of legislators and officials. We argue more particularly that decentred theory can explain change, including transformational phenomena such as Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite much fine legislative studies scholarship (dominated by institutionalism, rational choice theory, and historical institutionalist narratives), the importance of beliefs, traditions, and change can often be overlooked or taken for granted. The time is ripe for scholars to embrace an interpretive approach and decentred theory as fruitful agendas of research in the field of legislative studies.

Citation

Beech, M., & Bevir, M. (in press). Why the beliefs of parliamentarians matter: an interpretive approach to legislative studies. Journal of Legislative Studies, https://doi.org/10.1080/13572334.2024.2345035

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 2, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Apr 26, 2024
• Deposit Date: Apr 4, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 27, 2025
• Journal: Journal of Legislative Studies
• Print ISSN: 1357-2334
• Electronic ISSN: 1743-9337
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13572334.2024.2345035
• Keywords: interpretivism, decentered theory, legislative studies, parliamentarians, legislatures, traditions
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4618979