The representation of regions

The fourth strand in most thinking about the role of second chambers is the representation of regions, provinces, states and other territorial units. The United States Constitution, to take the obvious case, requires the United States Senate to provide equality of representation for each state, whatever its size. Not only in countries with federal systems but also in some countries with unitary systems, the second chamber is seen as a suitable vehicle for representing regions and other territorial units as distinct from simply representing population. We do not under present circumstances believe that the representation of the nations and regions should constitute one of the primary roles of the new second chamber in this country. In other words, we do not see the new second chamber playing the role of the United States Senate, the Australian Senate or the German Bundesrat. However, the reformed second chamber could have an important role in giving this country’s nations and regions a direct voice at Westminster which they currently lack.

(“ A House for the Future” Royal Commission on the Reform of the House of Lords Chairman: The Rt Hon Lord Wakeham DL)

b) Answer the following questions:

1. Is the national legislature in your country unicameral or bicameral?

2. What type of legislature is more preferable for your country and why?

3. Why is the counsel from a wide range of sources important for law making? Is this principle followed in your national legislature?

4. Why should the legislature be “broadly representative”? Is it the case in your country?

5. Why are the chambers in bicameral legislature elected on different bases? Is it true for your country?

6. Do the chambers usually exercise control over each other or over the other two branches of government?

7. How does the system of checks and balances apply to your system of government?

8. Is the upper house in your national legislature a “revising chamber’?

9. How is the problem of the executive domination solved in the countries with unicameral legislatures?

10. In what way is the quality of legislation secured by the two chambers?

11. What powers is the second chamber going to exercise? What powers are exercised by the upper house in your country?

12. Can one of the chambers be “the guardian of the constitution”? What person or body is the term referred to in your country?

13. Which chamber is more powerful in the British Parliament, in American Congress, in your national legislature?

14. Why should regions and constituent units be represented in the second chamber? Should their representatives be appointed or elected?

Task VII. a)Read the text from “ A House for the Future” by Royal Commission on the Reform of the House of Lords Chairman: The Rt Hon Lord Wakeham DL:

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