In this article you will learn about Bicameral Legislatures in Political Science.
Bicameral Legislatures
A bicameral legislature is a legislative body that consists of two separate chambers or houses. This type of legislative system is used by many countries around the world, including the United States and the United Kingdom. Bicameralism means : Bi = Two + Cameral = House i.e. a legislature with two houses/chambers. The two houses of a bicameral legislature typically have different powers, responsibilities, and functions, and each serves as a check and balance on the other.
The first house, commonly referred to as the lower house or the House of Representatives, is typically based on population. Each state or territory is allotted a number of seats in proportion to its population, and citizens within each state or territory elect representatives to serve in this chamber. The lower house is responsible for initiating legislation and serving as the voice of the people.
The second house, commonly referred to as the upper house or the Senate, is typically based on equal representation for each state or territory. Each state or territory is allotted an equal number of seats in this chamber, regardless of population. Members of the upper house are often elected for longer terms and may have different qualifications for office, such as a minimum age or property requirement. The upper house serves as a check on the power of the lower house and provides a more deliberate and measured approach to legislative decision making.
The bicameral system provides several benefits to the legislative process. Firstly, it allows for a more representative government, as each chamber provides a unique perspective on legislative issues. The lower house represents the people based on population, while the upper house represents the states or territories based on equal representation. This allows for a balance between the interests of the people and the interests of the states.
Secondly, the bicameral system provides a check and balance on the legislative process. Each chamber can act as a check on the other, ensuring that legislation is thoroughly considered and debated before becoming law. This helps to prevent hasty or ill-considered decisions, and allows for a more deliberate and measured approach to legislative decision making.
The bicameral system allows for a more flexible and adaptable legislative process. The two houses can work together to overcome political gridlock and find solutions to complex legislative issues. This can help to ensure that legislation is passed in a timely manner, and that the needs of the people and the states are effectively addressed.
Arguments in Favour of Bi-cameral Legislatures i.e. Bi-cameralism
1. Second Chamber is a Safeguard against the Despotism of a Single Chamber : The second chamber is very important for preventing the first house from becoming despotic and arbitrary. “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” The second chamber is important for keeping the first in balance and away from tyrannical tendencies.
2. Second Chamber is essential for Preventing Hasty and Ill-considered Legislature : Another argument in favour of second chamber has been that it can alone prevent the passing of hasty and ill-considered legislation by a single chamber. The Second chamber can prevent or at least considerably limit the harm to the national interests. It exercises controlling, modifying, retarding and steadying influence on legislature.
3. Second Chamber acts as a Revising Chamber : The legislative work of the modern welfare state has become very complex and technical. It demands a careful examination of all aspects of the measures which are to be enacted into laws.
4. Second Chamber Lessens the Burden of the First House : Modern legislature has to pass a large number of laws and orders covering all aspects of social relations for the welfare of the state and society. It is important to have two houses because it can together share the legislative work and handle the entire work systematically.
5. Two Houses Better Represent Public Opinion : It is said that the two houses can together correctly act as the barometer of public opinion. A single house grows out of tune and fails to keep pace with the public opinion. The second house can help the legislature in overcoming the above defect and in keeping continuous contact with the public opinion.
6. Essential for giving Representation to Special Interests : The second chamber provides a convenient means for giving representation to different classes and special interests which need representation but which, for one or the other reason, do not get such representation in the lower house. Women, workers, artists, scientists, teachers, intellectuals, writers, special interests groups can be given suitable and necessary special representation in the upper house.
7. Delay is Useful : The delay in passing the laws is very useful because it helps the crystallisation of public opinion on all bills before they become laws.
8. Bicameralism acts as a Source of Independence for the Executive : The two houses act as checks on each other and have a balancing effect on each other. This feature helps the executive to act with some independence and enable it to carry out its work with confidence.
9. Essential for a Federation : A bicameral legislature is important for a federal system. In this system, the lower house gives representation to the people of the state as a whole and the upper house gives representation to the units of the federation. The second house symbolises the sovereign equality of all federal units.
10. Instrument for Utilising the Services of the Able and the Experienced People : The second house makes it possible for the state to use the political and administrative ability of such people, who for some reason are not in a position or not willing to enter the lower house through the arduous process of electioneering. The services of ables can be used by the nation. The second chamber helps the induction of experience and ability in the legislature.
11. The Second Chamber acts as the Source of Stability : The second house can give a longer and continuous term for securing stability. The lower house, being the house of representatives of the people or the reflector of public opinion, has to be given a shorter tenure. Whereas the second house can be given a longer tenure and a permanent character to ensure stability.
12. Historical Support : History supports Bicameralism. The successful working of bicameral legislatures in several states of the world is an accepted fact.
This article on Bicameral Legislatures in Political Science is contributed by Dipshikha Anand. If you like LawStudyPoint.com do follow us on our Twitter handle.