This book investigates how the Portuguese parliament evolved from a purely legislative body into a central institution for democratic legitimation. Cristina Leston-Bandeira, a scholar specializing in legislative studies, utilizes historical analysis and institutional data to track the Assembleia da Republica's development. The work argues that as the Portuguese democracy matured, the institution shifted its primary focus from drafting laws to performing critical scrutiny of the executive branch. This framework provides a model for understanding the developmental stages of parliaments in newly established democratic states.

Experts identify this work as the primary English-language resource for understanding the specific institutional evolution of the Portuguese parliament. Scholars frequently note the clarity of the author's longitudinal approach, making it a foundational text for students of comparative politics and European legislative studies.