Introduction: Flexible Constitution
We know that India is a Union of states. The Government is at two levels. The central government functions at the central level and the state government functions at the state level. The powers are divided between the center and the state. We also know that the center has got an upper hand over the state with respect to the powers. There are three organs of the government namely Legislature, Judiciary and Executive. Legislature is the first branch of the government. It is the law making body of the government. It expresses the will of the people. Unless laws are made, the question of enforcing them or interpreting them does not arise.
Types of Legislatures
There are two kinds of legislatures namely, Unicameral and Bicameral
Unicameral- Where the legislature has only one house, it is called unicameral. For example, China (National Peoples Conference) and in India (Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu)
Bicameral- In Latin camera means house or chamber. Where the legislature has two houses, it is called bicameral. For example India, USA and UK; the following are the names of two houses of bicameral legislatures in various countries.
| India | USA | UK | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower house | Lok Sabha | House of Representatives | House of Commons |
| Upper house | Rajya Sabha | Senate | House of Lords |
Bicameral system of legislature is prevalent in a majority of the countries of the world. At the same time, unicameralism is also in existence in certain countries. Political scientists expressed different opinions in support of and against the two systems of legislature. For example political wr iter like Bryce, Garner, and Lord Acton argued in favor of Bicameralism. On the other hand, other political writers like Laski, Benjamin Franklin, and Bentham supported unicameralism. Sir J.A.R Marriott says that the “past history is in favor of the bicameral system. Experience has seen in favor of two chambers and it is not wise to disregard the lessons of history”. Dr. Leacock says, “The unicameral system has been tried and found wanting.”
The following are the differences between Unicameral Legislature and Bicameral Legislature
| Unicameral legislature |
Bicameral legislature |
|---|---|
| Responsibility is vested on one individual | Responsibility is divided between individuals |
| Hasty legislations are possible | Checks on formations of hasty legislation |
| It leads to despotism | Checks on despotism |
| There is no delay in legislation framing | Delay in legislation |
| No occassion of rlegislative dead-locks | Ocassion for legislative ded-locks |
| No duplication of work is possible | Duplication of work is possible |
| Only few countries are following it | Many countries are following it |
| Work load is heavy | Reduces work load |
| Less expenditure | More expenditure |
| No scope for representation to minorities and other interests | Scope for representation to minorities an dother interests |
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