Posted by Chester Morton / Wednesday 23 November 2016 / No comments
The advantages of a Bicameral Legislature
Definition
A bicameral legislature refers to
that system in there is another legislature quite apart from the one that
representatives have been directly elected into. In a bicameral legislature,
the second chamber is referred to variously as the House of Lords in Britain,
the Senate in the united States of America and Nigeria.
ADVANTAGES
Applicable in federal states
In a federal state, the component
units may not be equal in size and population so the first chamber has some
states dominating in terms of representation. The second chamber is used to
balance that inequality. This is because in the second camber, all the states
are equally represented irrespective of their size and population.
Prevents the hasty passage of bills
After the first chamber has passed a
bill, it is taken to the second chamber to have a second look. If the second
chamber finds something untoward, it sends it back to the first to correct before
the bill is finally passed into law. The second chamber therefore acts in a way
that helps to prevent the passage of bad laws.
Prevents the dictatorship of the
legislature
The existence of a one chamber
legislature, if unchecked, could become dictatorial. This is because there
would not be any institution looking over its shoulder to make sure it does not
do the wrong thing.
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| Michigan State Capitol Arch |
Allows for the use expert hands
There are some very experienced
politicians and administrators who would want to put their expertise at the
disposal of the nation but would not be willing to go through the rigors of election.
Such people are offered the opportunity to offer their experience when they are
appointed to serve on the second chamber.
Buffer against executive influence
The existence of the second chamber,
to a very large extent, prevents undue influence from the executive. This is
because the members of the second do not find themselves there on the basis of
party membership but rather based on their qualification.
Enlarges the scope of political
participation
Since the second chamber allows for
people with diverse backgrounds, experience and expertise to serve there, the
opportunity is given to a wide range of people to take part in politics.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
1. Explain six reasons why some
countries adopt the bicameral type of legislature?
