Abstract
<jats:p>Analysis of the practice of development of Western European parliamentarism shows that this institution cannot function effectively without a formed social structure and civil society, characterized by a high legal and political culture of the population. Parliament symbolizes and implements the political representation of the national state, or, what is the same, the nation-state; accepts the oath of the head of state; expresses confidence in the government on behalf of the sovereign people; transfers powers to it; etc. According to the author of the article, it is the features of the relationship between the representative and executive authorities that underlie the classification of parliaments into dominant, autonomous, limited-power, and subordinate.</jats:p>