Arguments in favour and against a bicameral legislature.
Arguments in favour and against a bicameral legislature.
Advantages and disadvantages of a bicameral legislature.
Merits and Demerits of bicameral legislature.
Pros and Cons of bicameral legislature.
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Arguments in favour of a bicameral legislature:-
Among the supporters of a bicameral legislature are - Lord Bryce, Gettel, Mill, Henry Mayne - etc. The arguments in favour of a bicameral legislature are -
1. Prevention of the autocratic mentality of the lower house:-
If the legislature is unicameral, there is a possibility of the legislature becoming autocratic. Since the ruling party has a majority in the legislature, the ruling party can make any kind of law in favor of its own interests. In that case, there is no way to control the unicameral legislature. Therefore, it is desirable for the legislature to be bicameral to prevent the autocratic mentality of the lower house.
2. Well-thought-out law-making is possible:-
The upper house of the legislature is the assembly of wise people. Therefore, while making any kind of law, the experts of the upper house can analyze all the proposed laws in detail and change them if necessary. Therefore, a bicameral legislature is more effective in making well-thought-out laws.
3. Qualifications of members:-
The members of a unicameral legislature are directly elected by the people. Although they are skilled politicians, the people's representatives often do not have the qualifications and skills needed to make laws. But if the legislature is bicameral, this problem is largely solved; because only knowledgeable people are given membership in the upper house.
4. Suitable for the federal system:-
In the federal system, national and provincial interests are protected by a bicameral legislature. But if the legislature is unicameral, there is a possibility that provincial interests will be neglected. Therefore, a bicameral legislature is suitable for the federal system.
5. Suitable for the interests of minorities:-
If the legislature is bicameral, there is a possibility of protecting the interests of minorities. Since the upper house is indirectly elected, the minority community can send the required number of members to the legislature. These minority representatives formulate various laws to protect the interests of minorities - as a result, the interests of minorities are protected.
6. Spread of political education is possible:-
Since only the ruling party is in power in a unicameral legislature, there is no room for debate, discussion, etc. on various issues. But in a bicameral legislature, debates and discussions are organized on various issues. They are published on television and in newspapers. As a result, political consciousness is spread among the common people and students.
7. Excellence:-
It is beyond question that the members of the upper house of a bicameral legislature are quite skilled in economic, cultural, social changes, education, national and international situations - etc. The wise members of the upper house make the bicameral legislature a center of excellence.
8. Suitable for the modern welfare state:-
Modern welfare states are more interested in public welfare instead of the manifestation of state power. The scope of the state has expanded greatly in various fields such as the expansion of universal education, women and child welfare, rural and urban development, development of agriculture and industry, international relations - etc. Therefore, it is not possible for only one chamber of the legislature to perform these multifaceted functions - in that case, a bicameral legislature is desirable.
9. Suitable for a large state:-
In a large state, there is always diversity in various fields such as race, language, culture, development - etc. Therefore, it is not possible for a unicameral legislature to perform its functions in harmony with that huge diversity. Also, regional interests also differ in a large state - which is not possible for a unicameral legislature to fulfill successfully. Therefore, a bicameral legislature is suitable for a large state.
Arguments against a bicameral legislature:-
1. The upper house is not democratic:-
The people do not have any role in the election of the members of the upper house of a bicameral legislature. They are indirectly elected by political parties. Therefore, if we judge from the perspective of democracy, a bicameral legislature is not democratic.
2. Quick decision-making is not possible:-
If the legislature is unicameral, the work of making laws, amending laws, taking decisions, etc. can be done very quickly. But, if there is a disagreement between the lower house and the upper house in a bicameral legislature, there is unnecessary delay in decision-making.
3. Not suitable for emergencies:-
Quick decisions are required in times of emergency. Since quick decisions are possible in a unicameral legislature, a unicameral legislature is much more effective during emergencies. However, in a bicameral legislature, discussions, disagreements, etc., lead to considerable delays, which are not at all desirable in an emergency.
4. Not essential for federal system:-
Harold Lasky has claimed that a unicameral legislature is suitable for a federal system. According to him, in every federal system, the power is divided between the central and state governments by the constitution. Therefore, the need for an upper house to protect the interests of the provincial governments is pointless.
5. Expenses are high:-
If there are two houses in the legislature, the financial expenses for a large number of members are huge. But in a unicameral legislature, that expense can be reduced to a great extent and that money can be spent on national development and public welfare.
6. The existence of an upper house is pointless:-
In most cases, in bicameral legislatures, representatives of the ruling party are in the majority in the upper house. As a result, they freely agree with the policies, decisions and programs of the government. Again, in the upper houses with equal powers, it becomes impossible to implement the decisions in many cases due to strong opposition from the opposition.
7. The role of the upper house is unrelated to the protection of the interests of the minority class: -
According to some political scientists, if the legislature is bicameral, the upper house plays a special role in protecting the interests of the minority class. But such a concept has no logic; because, the interests of the minorities are protected on the basis of constitutional rules and regulations, the goodwill of the government, etc. This has nothing to do with the fact that the legislature is bicameral.
8. The true will of public opinion is not expressed: -
The members of the upper house of the bicameral legislature are indirectly elected. Although they are knowledgeable and learned in their respective fields, they have no direct relationship with the people. As a result, they often fail to understand the needs, hopes and aspirations of the people, etc. Moreover, if the members of the upper house continue to agree under the pressure of the ruling party, the existence of the upper house becomes meaningless.
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