Why does the United States have a Bicameral System?
Although the Declaration of Independence was written soon after, the Articles of Confederation were not put into force until 1781. They established an alliance of states to form the federal government. A unicameral Congress of one delegate from each of the thirteen colonies was established by the Constitution. However, this legislative assembly lacked the strength and actual national governing authority. Congress lacked the authority to impose taxes or govern interstate or foreign trade. Moreover, there was no executive branch to carry out the legislation that Congress passed. Though there were attempts to make the Constitutional provisions stronger, the states remained silent out of fear of establishing a Congress with greater authority than the states.
The framers turned to the past, to other nations, and to the states to determine the shape Congress would take. The founders researched a number of historical republics with bicameral legislatures. The parliament of the United Kingdom was also bicameral. However, a lot of states had already implemented unicameral legislatures following the Revolution. After giving it some thought, the founding fathers concluded that having a legislature with two chambers would be ideal. An extra degree of oversight and balance within Congress would be provided by having two chambers.
What is Bicameral System? How It Works, History of U.S
A bicameral system of governance has two separate branches within the legislative body. The two houses of the U.S. government are the Senate and the House of Representatives. With an approximately 60/40 split between unicameral and bicameral systems, most foreign governments operate under unicameral systems. Different powers are granted to each chamber of the legislative branch in order to maintain a system of checks and balances. Within the legislative body, there are two separate branches in a bicameral system of government. In comparison to the Senate, the more populated House of Representatives branch has less restrictive membership standards with regard to age and terms of citizenship.
Table of Content
- What is a Bicameral System?
- Why does the United States have a Bicameral System?
- How does a Bicameral System Work?
- History of Bicameralism in the U.S
- Unicameralism vs. Bicameralism
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