Abstract

CAMPOS-PARRA, Hernán  and  NAVIA, Patricio. Legislative Discipline in the Chilean Chamber of Deputies, 2010-2014. Polít. gob [online]. 2017, vol.24, n.1, pp.81-123. ISSN 1665-2037.

Since the restoration of democracy in 1990 until 2010, the centerleft Concertación coalition governed in Chile. During the period, Concertación parties were more disciplined in their legislative behavior than the rightwing Alianza opposition. That was either because they were in the government or because they were center-left. Since the Alianza governed between 2010 and 2014, we can test if ideology or being in government explains higher legislative discipline. With evidence from 3 189 roll call votes in the Chamber of Deputies in the 2010-2014 period, we assess legislative discipline in the Concertación and Alianza. We also check for the effect of the legislative path, super majority requirements, presidential approval and the electoral calendar on legislative discipline. We confirm that the ruling coalition is more disciplined than the opposition -though both coalitions are more disciplined when voting more important legislation and legislation close to being promulgated- and that presidential approval has a marginal effect on legislative discipline both on the ruling coalition and the opposition.

Keywords : legislative discipline; political parties; coalitions; presidential approval; Chilean Congress.

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