Leglislatures Flashcards
why historically bicameralism?
2nd chamber can check the lower house for mistakes
why empirically bicameralism
- size of country -> 2nd chamber in large countries
2. federal vs. unitary structure -> 2nd chamber in federal countries
unicameral vs bicameral in law passing
efficient vs non as efficient
unicameral vs bicameral in representation
many not represent vs represent fairly
strong bicamerlism requirements
- upper house = real power
2. different methods of electoral representation for two chambers
what are modes of election
upper house
a. direct election (eg. US, Italy)
b. Indirect election or appointment (eg. Germany, UK)
types of government in parliamentary system
1) single party majority
2) minminal winning coalition
3) minority governments
4) oversized coalition
what is single party majority
- one party controls absolute majority of seats in parliament and forms govt alone
- likely plurality electoral systems
whats an example of single party majority
US, UK
what is minimal winning coalition
- no single party controls the majority of seats in parliament
- coalition of parties is needed
- government coalition has only as many parties as needed to control a simple majority in parliament
most likely to pr in election results
what is minority governments
the party in government doesn’t control majority of seats in parliament
conssisetent parliments but don’t want to become part of government
build different majoriteis
why would want minority government to survive
parties oustide government -> advantages at next election
-government -> enjoy more distant support from troublesome parties
what is oversized coalition
- government compriese more parties than needed to control majority
why would you include addition parties in an oversized coalition
1) policy preferences
2) insurance against defection
when are oversized coalitions more common
times of crisis -> national unity
eg.
war: UK during WWII with Churchill
Economic crisis: Greece 2011-2012
