It's Law!

A blog about basic legal stuff...

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Unicameral System: Advantages vs Disadvantages


Unicameral system of parliament is the practice of having one legislative or parliamentary house. This system typically exists in small and homogeneous unitary states. Examples of countries that exercise unicameral system include the People's Republic of China, Singapore, Israel, Uganda, Costa Rica, New Zealand, Iceland, Sweden, and the Vatican City.

Our Malaysian parliament is made of bicameral legislature which consist of two parliamentary houses - the House of Representatives (Dewan Rakyat) and the Senate (Dewan Negara). In May 18, 2013 Bukit Gelugor MP Karpal Singh proposed for the Senate to be abolished, on grounds that "it does not serve any useful purpose", and that "a unicameral house with a single legislative chamber as is the position in Singapore would be best suited in the public interest". [The New Straits Times, Sunday May 19, 2013].

In his feedback to Karpal Singh's proposal, Senator and MIC treasurer-general Jaspal Singh commented that the Senate should not be abolished since it "allows minorities, like the Orang Asli, to have a voice in the legislative" and functions as a check and balance to the Dewan Rakyat.

So is unicameral system better than bicameral system? Here in It's Law! blog, let us take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of a unicameral system.


UNICAMERAL SYSTEM  ADVANTAGES 
  • Simplifies bill passage by avoiding legislative gridlock. Proposed legislation can be enacted more rapidly and efficiently, since bills do not have to be reconciled by two parliamentary houses.
  • Singleness of purpose. It is easier to achieve cooperation between executive and legislative branches.
  • A one-house legislature is less expensive, since the state only has to pay for one set of legislators, legislative staffs, offices, etc. It is easier and cheaper to maintain a legislature with only one house and thus fewer representatives.
  • Since only one body is responsible for legislation, there is greater transparency and accountability.
  • Legislators are more accountable to the public and their constituency because their position is a matter of public record.
  • Unicameral system makes it easier for voters to understand and participate in their political system because it is simpler.

UNICAMERAL SYSTEM  DISADVANTAGES 
  • A smaller legislature means a weaker power check on the executive.
  • Without the check and balance that a second parliamentary house would provide, a unicameral legislature often has difficulty hindering the passage of flawed legislation (although bicameral state legislatures are not perfect, it would be easier to correct their flaws than to change their structure).
  • In the name of progressive outlook, the unicameral legislature may thoughtlessly pursue certain measures. Once such a measure is taken, it is the people who suffer.
  • Unicameral legislature does not provide any opportunity for revision of bills. The single parliamentary house may pass ill-considered bills.
  • A unicameral legislature does not effectively accommodate the vast and diverse constituencies in a large nation. Bicameralism seems to work best in countries that are larger or socially and ethnically diverse.
  • If there is only one house, then the house in course of time may become arrogant. It may push through any law of its choice. It may act arbitrarily and become autocratic.

Based on this comparison, should Malaysia practice a unicameral parliamentary system in place of the current bicameral system? Try to discuss this topic with your friends and teachers.

14 comments:

  1. agree wih these .thanks very much

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  2. agree wih these .thanks very much

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  3. No it will hamper their development

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  4. Because of Malaysia's country size

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  5. I absolutely agree with this.thanks

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  6. where is date for this article ... i want to credit you and your blong in my assignment citatation

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    Replies
    1. you spelled blog wrong go back to 5 grade bud

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  7. great article! i would prefer a unicameral type because of money and faster legislation (putting faith on them that they will pass bills that are helpful to people).

    but, any government type would be fine. it depends on the people on how they treat each other and their native land.

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  8. Good job i was looking for these stuffs so badly thanks alot nimezipata

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  9. Enter your comment...thanks i agree with you great jop

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  10. this was verry helpful subscribe to land fish

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  11. Thank you for a great blog. Nebraska, a state within America, has a unicameral state legislature, and your blog has the best statement of advantages and disadvantages I have seen.

    ReplyDelete
  12. This helps a lot. Thank you very much.

    ReplyDelete

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