BICAMERAL LEGISLATURE
A LAWMAKING BODY WITH TWO HOUSES; SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A bicameral legislature is a legislative body comprising of two houses or chambers. This system is found in many countries such as the United States, Australia, Canada, and India. In a bicameral legislature, the two houses are in charge of making and passing laws.
The upper house of the legislature, also called the Senate or House of Lords, is usually smaller in size and often consists of members appointed by the head of state or elected by a smaller group of people. The lower house, on the other hand, is usually larger in size and consists of elected representatives from constituencies. The lower house is often referred to as the House of Representatives, House of Commons or Assembly.
The purpose of having two chambers in a bicameral legislature is to ensure that there is proper representation and accountability of citizens. The upper chamber represents the interests of the states/provinces or certain interest groups, whereas the lower chamber represents the interests of the people.
One key advantage of a bicameral legislature is that it allows for a system of checks and balances. Both houses must agree on a bill before it can become law. This ensures that no one chamber has too much power and that all voices are heard.
Despite its advantages, a bicameral legislature can also be expensive and time-consuming. Differences between the two houses can lead to lengthy debates and delays in passing bills. Overall, the effectiveness of a bicameral legislature depends on the specific country’s political system and the function of each house in that system.
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