Final answer:
The duties of a parliamentarian include representing constituents' interests, participating in debates, and proposing and voting on legislation, following models of representation like the delegate or trustee model.
Step-by-step explanation:
The duties of a parliamentarian include a variety of responsibilities, such as representing the interests of their constituents, participating in debates and discussions, and proposing and voting on legislation. These tasks are essential to the role of legislators in a democratic system and are imperative for maintaining a responsive and functional government. Legislators are elected by their constituents to act in their best interest and have to balance between different models of representation as highlighted by political philosopher Edmund Burke. While some parliamentarians may adopt a delegate model of representation, acting strictly according to their constituents' wishes, others choose the trustee model, using their judgment to decide what's in the best interest of the constituents, and some attempt to balance both approaches.
In addition to the representative role, parliamentarians engage in policy discussions, influence the legislative process, and work on committee assignments to scrutinize and shape proposed legislation. An important aspect of a parliamentarian's role is to also ensure government accountability and that the will of the legislature is being executed properly by other parts of the government. Moreover, they are involved in constituency service and are expected to maintain communication with the people they represent, keeping them informed and considering their opinions on policy issues.