What are the theoretical reasons for bicameralism in congress?

Answer 1

historical- The American colonists were used to the British Parliament, which also had 2 houses- House of Lords (upper chamber containing nobles) and the House of Commons (lower chamber with ordinary/ lower class people).

practical- VA plan- large states in USA. who wanted more representatives in Congress because they had a larger population.

NJ plan- small states in USA. who thought that every state should have an equal number of representatives in Congress, no matter the size population of the state.

theoretical- checks and balances- each house could 'check' the other so neither would become too powerful. This 'balanced' out the houses and created a stable government

Answer 2

One reason a bicameral legislature was needed was because of an ongoing debate about representation during the Philadelphia (Constitutional) Convention in 1787. Large and small states had prolonged debates regarding how to represent each of the states' needs in Congress. The Virginia Plan, presented by Edmund Randolph, argued for a Congress based on population, in which the small states' voice wouldn't be heard. However, the New Jersey Plan, proposed by William Paterson, argued that all states should have equal representation in Congress. Bigger states debated that this idea showed no regard to population and therefore was insufficient. The acrimonious debates lingered until a resolution was eventually reached. A bicameral Congress was to be formed in which the lower house, the House of Representatives, was to be selected according to the populations of the states while the upper house, the Senate, was to have two elected representatives from each state.

Answer 3

The basic premise of bicameralism is that it betters the chances that bad laws will not be passed. Both houses must pass a bill before it can be sent to the Chief Executive for signature.