Legislature

A legislature is a governmental deliberative body with the power to adopt laws. Legislatures are known by many names including parliament, senate, or congress. In parliamentary systems of government, the legislature is formally supreme and appoints the executive. In presidental systems of government, the legislature is considered a branch of government which is equal to the executive.

The power of legislatures vary widely from country to country. A rubber stamp legislature is a derogative name used for a legislature that has no real power and simply approves bills which are put before it.