Functional patterns and functional profiles: Subnationa! state parliaments in comparison

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What can subnational state parliaments achieve? For what tasks are they not suited for? These questions can be best answered by comparison. Case examples used in this study are: the Conseil Regional de Picardie (a regional assembly in France), the Landtag Brandenburg in Germany and the Scottish Parliament. In addition to the above mentioned, the following questions are addressed" How sensible is a comparison of parliaments that is based on an analysis of parliamentary functions? Are the terms of functional patterns and functional profiles useful for research?The following parliamentary functions are analysed: representation (in its aspects responsiveness, linkage and public information), election, law making, oversight and institutional self-organisation. Two results, amongst others, of the entire analysis are: (1) accurate knowledge about both the competences of parliaments and about what can be expected of them is a crucial factor for good relations between representatives and represented. (2) It is advantageous to use one catalogue of functions for the analysis of parliaments. It is not expedient to add new functions for the subnational state level.