ELI5 - What is Parliament

Imagine a big classroom where the students vote for a few classmates to speak for them. Those chosen students listen to everyone’s problems, talk about ideas, and help decide the rules for the class. A parliament works in a very similar way, just for a whole country instead of a classroom. The people in parliament are called representatives or members of parliament. People vote for them in elections. Each member speaks for a certain area or group of people. Their job is to bring the people’s ideas, worries, and needs into the building where decisions are made.

Parliament’s main job is to make laws. Laws are rules that everyone in the country must follow. When someone has an idea for a new rule, parliament talks about it. Members argue, ask questions, and suggest changes. This talking part is very important. It helps make sure laws are fair and thought through. After talking, they vote. If most members agree, the idea becomes a law. Parliament also checks on the government. The government runs the country day to day. It manages things like schools, hospitals, roads, and the police. Parliament makes sure the government is doing a good job and not abusing its power. Members can ask the government hard questions and demand explanations.

In many countries, parliament also controls money. It decides how tax money is spent. This includes things like healthcare, education, and defense. This helps stop one person or group from taking all the money or using it unfairly. Some countries have one parliament group. Some have two. When there are two, one group often represents the people directly, and the other represents regions or states. They usually must agree before a law is passed. Parliament is important because it gives people a voice. Instead of one ruler deciding everything, many voices are heard. Even if people disagree, talking and voting is better than fighting. It helps keep power balanced and protects people’s rights.

So in simple terms, a parliament is a place where elected people talk, argue, vote, and decide the rules of a country on behalf of everyone else.