The Rise of Italian Parliamentary Staff

The use of parliamentary staffs reflects an effort to acquire institutional expertise and professionalism in the legislative branch to counterbalance a perceived advantage within executive agencies. There are different models of parliament and administration. Mixed models may emerge over time. Parliamentary staffs represent a thread of continuity, institutional memory, and expertise within the institution and constitute something more than just an occupational grouping and something less than a fully established profession. Staff have specialized expertise, substantial and qualified autonomy, commitment to political enterprise and public service, and identify themselves as a professional group. Institutional forces influence the organizational change within history of Italian parliamentary administration leading to the professional development of staff. Parliamentary staff as professional group may develop and improve expertise coherently with different degrees of organizational complexity, legitimized beliefs and values.