Merits and demerits of a bicameral legislature?

Answer 1

The advantages of a bicameral or two-house legislature is that it allows for representation on a reasonably equitable footing for both large and small states. States with large populations are satisfied because the number of each state's representatives in the lower house, (House of Representatives) is determined by population, and the less populated states are generally satisfied because the number of representatives of the upper house (Senate) are equal, being set at two per state. The only state legislature that is unicameral is Nebraska I believe. A disadvantage of a bicameral Congress is evident is the recurrent gridlock seen in Congress. Even if the House is able to pass a law, the bill still has to make it through the polarized Senate. The issue of complacency among American voters that allows representatives to be continually re-elected year after year after year creating political dynasties in Congress.

Answer 2

One of the main arguments for a bicameral legislature is that it functions as its own system of checks and balances, as one can temper the extremes of the other. A primary argument against it is that it leads to gridlock.

Answer 3

The merit of bicameral legislature is that it represents various interests. The demerit of bicameral legislature is that it is not necessary to use the system.