Legislatures aims to offer one of the most substantial and wide-ranging compilations of original writing on legislatures currently available. It contains essays from fifteen writers, ordered thematically and edited to ensure their relevance to the modern reader. Sources range from the three scholar-politicians - Montesquieu, Bagehot and Bryce - to contemporary political scientists such as Bernard Crick, Anthony King, Samuel Beer and Nelson Polsby, who have extended the boundaries of understanding in this area. This volume also includes extracts from official publications that have had a practical impact upon legislative development. The extracts are preceded by a short introduction by the editor and each section has an introductory commentary explaining the significance of the writings chosen for inclusion.