Consht 9 BICAMERALISM of A Legislature which consists of two houses a chambers is called bicameral legislature. In a bicameral system, legislature is made of two houses - upper house and lower house. The Upper house is called "Second Chamber’, the lower house is called "Popular chamber", Different countries call the two houses by different names and composition of the two houses also differ. India, USA, UK, Japan, France, Canada, Australia and Switzerland have bicameral legislature. Most countries have opted for bicameral legislature. It has no theoretical basis or philosophy behind it. It is from UK that this system has spread to the rest of the world. In UK also, this system was not planned. It is the product of the historical circumstances of the constitutional development in that country. Although, this system is widely practiced, there is no uniformity in the formation, tenure and powers of the Second Chamber. MERITS 1 Check on hasty legislation The second chamber serves as a check up on hasty legislation and ensures proper deliberation. A popularly elected single chamber may become rash and one sided. _fagav be moved by unhealthy emotions or passions. The second chamber is Consttted differently with the elderly. members with superior intellectual ability and experience. As such, itcan check tendencies of the lower house. 2 Curbs despotism of a single house The Second Chamber curbs the despotism of the lower house. In the absence of the Second Chamber, lower house may grow despotic and tyrannical. As the lower house enjoys majority support, any bill can be passed easily by it on the strength of the majority. So a second chamber is essential to check the tyranny of the first chamber.3 Better laws meral system. There is more The legislative process imprové substantially ina detailed and thorough discussion of all legislative measures. The second chamber facilitates the elimination of defects in the bills. It acts as a reve cramer Due to extension of legislative procedure in the second chamber, at opinion, the press and other interest groups leave their-ae¢ on the bill, This will render legislation more representative in character. Further, as the second chamber is permanent and cannot be dissolved, there will be continuity of legislation. 4 Relief to first chamber The Upper house can increase the efficiency of the government by easing the pressure of legislative work of the lower house. In modern times, the state has to undertake various kinds of social welfare activities. So it is necessary to make many new laws to meet the requirements ofa dynamic socigty hp lower house may have its handful and therefore, second Chamber can Suaif’share their burden. 5 Provides for special representation The Upper house can be utilized for representation of special categories of people who go unrepresented in a democratic popular chamber. Representation can be provided in the second chamber to minorities and special classes of people. It is helpful in utilizing the services of persons with wisdom and experience who may not be willing to contest an election. It is possible to ensure the representation of social workers, poets, scientists, artists and professionals like Jauyers, doctors, et. in the second chamber. Thus, the second chamber can be reservoir of knowledge nN and talent. 6 Essentials for federation Asecond chamber is indispensable for federation. While the lower house represents the nation as a whole on the basis of population, the second chamber represents the federating units of a federation. In federal states like the USA and(4) Switzerland, the second chamber gives an equal representation to the federating units. 7 Areal necessity No country has been able to manage its parliamentary affairs without a second chamber. The verdict of history is with bicameralism. It is not advisable to disregard the lessons of history. It is suited to all types of government - unitary, federal, democratic or non-democratic. DEMERITS 1 Unnecessary check to hasty legislation | A second chamber is an unnecessary check to hasty legislation. Generally, the legislative measures are thoroughly discussed and examined by appropriate committees. Bills are passed after a long process of discussion, debate and analysis. Thus, a second chamber is unnecessary as a revisory chamber. 2 Divided responsibility Bicameral legislature divides the responsibility of legislation. Divided responsibility leads to dead-locks and unnecessary delays. 3 Subordinate role The second chamber, everywhere except in USA has a subordinate role and minor role in legislation. For example, the House of Lords in UK and Rajya Sabha in India exercise only a suspensive veto on bills and they have no voice in money matters. The second chamber hardly exercises any control over the popular chamber. It is generally the lower house which enjoys a dominating position. Under such circumstances it is useless to have a second chamber. 4 Expensive Bicameralism means duplications of work. Hence it is expensive.5 Leads to dead-locks If both the houses have co-equal powers as in USA, it frequently leads to dead- locks, Important bills may be unnecessarily delayed. If the lower house is very powerful as in UK and India, it is useless to have the second chamber. 6 Other devices to check legislative despotism The despotism of the single chamber can be checked through other devices. For example, there is the suspensive veto of the executive. If necessary, a second consideration of the bill in the same house can be made obligatory. The despotic tendency of the Legislature can be checked by critical opposition and a vigilant electorate. 7 Unnecessary even in a federal system Even in a federal system, a second chamber is not essential because members of the second chamber often votes on party lines rather than state lines. For ‘example, in India, the members belonging to congress party in the Rajya Sabha vote as they vote in Lok Sabha. 8 Representation to special interest through constitutional guarantee The taiented people and the minorities can be given a place even in the lower house by reservation of seats. In India, the president can nominate two Anglo Indians to the Lok Sabha in case they are not adequately represented. 9 No uniformity There is no universal method of constituting the second chamber. The hereditary principle, nomination and indirect election are undemocratic. Direct election will make the second chamber powerful, and as such it will lead to dead-locks. CONCLUSION . Peau ; Thus, there are counter balancing arguments in favor of and against the second chamber. There is an element of truth in arguments advanced against it. However, the bicameral legislature has come to stay. The modern states have a bicameral