What was the bicameral legislature exactly?
Here's the definition from Dictionary.com.
"bi·cam·er·al /baɪˈkæmərəl/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[bahy-kam-er-uhl] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective Government. having two branches, chambers, or houses, as a legislative body."
With a quick Google search for bicameral legislature, I found this site.
http://www.bartleby.com/59/13/bicameralleg.html
Not "was" -- "is"!!
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-bicameral-legislature.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicameral
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bicameral
The bicameral legislature refers to a political system where the legislative branch of government is divided into two separate chambers or houses. Each chamber has its own set of powers and functions, and both are involved in the process of making and passing laws.
To understand what the bicameral legislature is exactly, let's break down the term:
1. "Bi-" means two. So, the bicameral legislature consists of two chambers.
2. "-cameral" comes from the Latin word "camera," which means chamber or room. So, each chamber is a separate room or entity within the legislative branch.
In most cases, the two chambers of a bicameral legislature have different compositions and rules. Common forms include:
1. The House of Representatives or the Lower House: This chamber typically represents the population based on proportional representation. The number of representatives from each region is determined by factors such as population size or geographical area.
2. The Senate or the Upper House: This chamber often represents specific entities or regions within the political system, such as states, provinces, or other subdivisions. The number of senators from each entity is usually equal or based on specific criteria, regardless of population size.
The purpose of a bicameral legislature is to ensure a system of checks and balances, as each chamber has different powers and responsibilities. This division helps to prevent the concentration of power and allows for careful consideration and debate when making laws.
It's important to note that not all countries have a bicameral legislature. Some have a unicameral legislature, which consists of a single chamber, while others may have different variations or unique structures.