Bicameralism vs. Unicameralism Flashcards
what is Consocionalism?
power sharing between 2 chambers
what is the definition of bicameralism?
2 independently selected chambers with authority over legislation - R. Congleton
what is the role of the legislature?
to make law, to over sea government agencies and to make and break government
with regards to making law what finding supports this?
the process of compromise with bicameral institutions has desirable effects on the course of public poilcy even in cases of representation of similar interests - R. Congleton
why would you have a bicameral system? (3)
allow for different representation, in federal states allows for geographical representation, to give minorities a voice in the legislature
what is an example of a legislature with a strong role for the second chamber?
Italy
What did A. Vetter find? (4)
- in Bicameral states there is less state intervention
- bicameralism has a decentralizing effect
- bicameralism does not lead to better political stability
- if chamber differ on their opinions then this weakens the forces to reform the status quo
with reguards to political stability what is the opposing view?
that governements with upper chambers last longer than those without - Drunkman
where is likely to have unicameralism?
1 in the absence of federalsim, 2. with a smaller population 3. in a smaller country
what is unicameralism described as?
a wave of the future
what are the pathways to unicameralism?
through constitutional design or through reforming a bicameral system
what is an example of a country which constitutionally designed a unicameral system?
Ukraine
with regards to reforming a bicameral system, what are the two clusters of ways of doing this?
through orderly debate and referendum, and through a military coup or overthrowing the government
example of countries doing it through an orderly fashion?
Sweden or Denmark
example of a right wing military coup?
Portugal or Hungary
