Progress with Parliamentary ‘Power over the Purse’: The Case of South Africa

Renewed interest in legislative ‘power over the purse’ has seen a growing demand in modern democracies for parliaments to strengthen their authority over national budgets. However, weaknesses in legislative and institutional reforms intended to bring about more assertive parliaments with powers to amend budgets raise issues on how parliament’s role in influencing the budget differs from what formally conferred powers anticipate. Specifically, to what extent can formal parliamentary institutions be expected to advance the aspiration of greater legislative influence on the budget? This article critically considers the institutional arrangements of the South African parliament that inhibit effective execution of its role in budget decision-making. In particular, it explores three determinants: extent of formal powers, institutional capacity, and incentives facing individual MPs.