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Lijphart, C11. Legislatures. The Importance of Legislative Bodies. Lawmaking the preeminent power in democratic government (on balance) Legislatures preserve the basics of representation In parliamentary systems, also have the significance of selecting the executive.
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Lijphart, C11 Legislatures
The Importance of Legislative Bodies • Lawmaking the preeminent power in democratic government (on balance) • Legislatures preserve the basics of representation • In parliamentary systems, also have the significance of selecting the executive.
Unicameral v. Bicameral: The Basic Distinction • Obvious significance: it is easier to pass legislation through one chamber than two. • Unicameralism is generally associated with pure parliamentary systems and unitary states. • Power/significance of Upper Houses vary across cases • Symmetrical v. Assymetrical • Congruent v. Incongruent
6 CharacteristicsNote: First three are descriptive & second three are key • Upper House tend to be smaller than the Lower House • Upper House terms tend to be longer • Upper House elections are often staggered • Are the two chambers formally equal legislatively speaking? • How is the Upper House elected? • Nature of representation in the upper house?