Parliamentary whips in the modern era: a parliamentary necessity or a historical relic?
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Date
2014
Authors
Napier, Clive
Labuschagne, Pieter
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Faculty of the Humanities, University of the Free State
Abstract
In the academic literature, very little has been done to chronicle the history and the development of
whips in legislatures (parliaments). The lack of material on whips is in spite of the fact that, in political
and governing processes, political party whips have a history that stretches back to the 18th century.
The purposes of this article are therefore aimed at addressing this gap in the literature and to emphasise
the necessary role of political party whips, in South Africa and internationally. The discussion deals
with the history and the duties of whips at the parliamentary, provincial and local government levels.
The authors outline the historical development of whips and explain how their position has developed
from noble beginnings, to the point where they play a critically important role in modern parliaments.
The main functions and the selection or election of whips, within their respective legislative bodies and
particularly in the South African context are also discussed. The conclusion is reached that whips do
play a significant and necessary role in their respective legislative bodies and are of critical importance
within a modern political system.
Description
Keywords
Whip, Whippery, Party discipline, Paired voting, Calling motions
Citation
Napier, C., & Labuschagne, P. (2014). Parliamentary whips in the modern era: a parliamentary necessity or a historical relic?. Journal for Contemporary History, 39(1), 38-54.