What is Relations between Upper & Lower House?

Although the aims of both the houses are the same, they differ in composition, tenure and authority. So Garner advises that there ought to be differences between both the houses with respect to composition and tenure. In actual practice, the upper house is usually composed in such a way that experienced men come to it. Also the tenure is usually longer. As regards authority, usually the popular chamber enjoys greater authority.

There is variation among states. In the USA, the upper chamber, the Senate, is composed of senior politicians. The strength of the house is comparatively smaller and it enjoys much more authority than the other house.

In U.K. the tenure of membership of the upper house is the longest. In course of time, the authority of the House of Lords has been reduced. In Switzerland, both the houses exercise equal authority and the composition of the upper house is so devised that it ensures the membership of highly qualified able men. However, the second chamber of Switzerland is less powerful than the lower house.

From actual practice, nothing can be said conclusively relating to the ideal composition, tenure of membership and authority of the second chamber. But it can be maintained that there should be differences between both the houses in respect of composition, tenure and authority.

In India, The Lok Sabha represents the people and the upper house, The Rajya Sabha, represents the states of the Union. But the states are not equally represented. The membership is such that experienced persons can get into the chamber.

Its tenure is longer than that of Lok Sabha members. As to authority, the Rajya Sabha enjoys less of it than the Lok Sabha. It is pertinent to examine the respective merits and demerits of bicameralism and unicameralism.