In most of the democratic countries of the world at present, legislature consists of two Houses. In the Middle Ages, however, political assemblies comprised two, three or four chambers representing different classes of people. England, which was first to develop represen­tative institutions, had a bicameral legislature although unicameral legislature was also established there during Cromwell’s Protectorate.

The Constitution of the first Republic of France established a unicameral legislature but it was set aside in favour of bicameral legislature under the Constitution of the Second Republic of France. A large number of other nations which tried the unicameral system have abandoned it in favour of the bicameral system.

Although the system of bicameral legislature has become quite popular yet controversy rages among the political thinkers as to whether bicameral legislature should be there, or not. There are balancing arguments for and against the second chamber.

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Some of the arguments advanced in favour of the second chamber may be discussed as follows :

Arguments in favour of Bicameralism :

1. Modifying influence on Legislation:

The second chamber acts as a brake against the hasty, ill-considered and rash legislation passed by the lower chamber. It acts as ‘a check on hasty legislation’. The lower chambers arc generally elected by direct vote of the people. They are liable to be swayed by popular passions.

As Lecky points out, “the second chamber exercises a controlling, modifying, retarding and steadying influence on legislation. A single chamber constituted on the basis of universal adult franchise is radical.

“By interposing delay between the introduction and the final adoption of a measure, the second house permits time for further reflection and deliberation.” It is, therefore, necessary to have a second chamber to check radicalism.

2. Represen tation of Minorities:

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The upper chamber can be used for giving representation to the minorities and other special interests which cannot get adequate representation in the lower popular chamber.

3. Representation of Intellectuals:

In the upper chamber repre­sentation can be given to intellectuals, artists and scientists. These people are generally election-shy and do not like to undergo the botheration of elections. The second chamber can thus be made a reservoir of knowl­edge and intellect.

As J.S. Mill points out, if the Lower House is the people’s chamber the other should be a chamber of statesmen and veteran politicians. Such a House should be a body of natural leaders and should guide the people forward on the path of progress.

Great scientists, artists, administrators, generals and statesmen can be honored by nominating them to the upper chamber. At the same time the legislature can benefit from their expert advice and mature guidance.

4. Revisory Function:

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According to Bagehot, a second chamber can act as a revisory chamber. It can serve as a second filter-bed. Bills passed in the Lower House are revised by the second chamber and their technical flaws are removed.

5. Delaying Function:

A second chamber usually acts as a delaying chamber. It interposes delay between the introduction and final adoption of a measure and thus permits time for cool reflection and deliberation.

It permits the press and platform to mirror public mind on a Bill. Delay involved in the passage of a Bill is, therefore, sometimes, beneficial in the ultimate interests of people.

6. Check Despotic Tendency of the Lower House:

A second chamber checks the despotism of the Lower House. In the absence of the second chamber, the lower chamber may grow tyrannical and despotic.

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“Of all the forms of government that arc possible among mankind,” said Lecky, “I do not know any which is likely to be worse than the government of a single omnipotent democratic-chamber.

It is at least susceptible as an individual despot to the temptation that grows out of the possession of an uncontrolled power, and it is likely to act with much less sense of responsibility and much less real deliberation.” It protects individual liberty against legislative despotism.

7. Utility in a Federation:

A second chamber is very useful for a federation because representation to the units of a federation can be given in the second chamber.

The lower chamber in federation is supposed to represent the national interests whereas the upper chamber gives representation to the local and specific interests of the units.

8. Functional representation:

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Second chambers are justified to represent the functional interests like industry, trade, agriculture and other professions and vocations.

If the lower chamber represents the con­sumer; the upper chamber could represent the producer and other such interests.