What is the Unicameral System?

A unicameral system of government is a one-chambered government, with only one legislative house. The unicameral system of government became popular in the 20th century, this was when countries like Peru, New Zealand and Greece practiced the system of government. Many countries run a unicameral system of government, including Armenia, Sweden, Serbia, Turkey, Hungary, and Denmark. Bicameral system on the other hand, is a system with two legislative chambers. Countries with stabilized democracy and fewer population tend to use the unicameral system while countries with larger population and unstable democracy use either bicameral or unicameral systems.

What is the Bicameral System?

A system of government that has two chambers or legislative houses is a bicameral system. The name given to each of the chambers might differ from state to state or country to country. Bicameral system of governments are commonly adopted in many countries but it started from England in the early period. Being first practiced by England, the United States also adopted the bicameral system and all the states in the U.S practice this system except Nebraska.

How Does the Unicameral System Work?

According to a 2014 report, 59% of countries in the world practice Unicameral system while about 41% were bicameral. Sweden is a country that practices the unicameral system of government, it has a parliamentary system in which the executive power belongs to the king and prime minister of the country. The Sedem parliament has 349 seats which can be occupied by any political party that has the minimum of 4% votes during election. The parliament approves the prime minister, legislatives bills are treated through parliament votes.

What is the Bicameral System?

A system of government that has two chambers or legislative houses is a bicameral system. The name given to each of the chambers might differ from state to state or country to country. Bicameral system of governments are commonly adopted in many countries but it started from England in the early period. Being first practiced by England, the United States also adopted the bicameral system and all the states in the U.S practice this system except Nebraska.

Advantages of a Unicameral vs. Bicameral System

Both unicameral systems and bicameral systems have their unique advantages, which is why a country can opt for any of the systems. Below are the advantages of a unicameral system vs a bicameral system; Advantages of a unicameral system

• A unicameral system allows easy passage of bills and legislations.
• It has shorter and efficient legislative sessions.
• It has lesser legislators and only a few bills can be introduced.
• A unicameral system is cost-effective.

Advantages of a bicameral system

• A bicameral system prevents abuse of power
• It provides checks and balances for the government.

However, despite the advantages of unicameral and bical systems, they have some drawbacks. Passing of laws is quite difficult in a bicameral system while lobbying or influence from interest groups can easily affect the decision of the legislators in a unicameral system. In the United States, there is constitutional provision for both unicameral and bicameral systems. The 1781 Articles of Confederation proposed the unicameral government while the Constitutional Convention in 1787 made a way for a bicameral system. The U.S government practice a bicameral system with the presence of the Senate and the House till today. States in the U.S use a bicameral system except Nebraska while U.S cities and counties use the unicameral system. Nebraskas legislature was changed from a bicamerka system to a unicameral system in 1937. This was following the campaign of George Norris who bidded for a change in the system on the ground that a bicameral system is old and inefficient.

Bicameral systems around the world

Countries that practice bicameral system of governments include Germany, Russia, Spain, India, Australia, Brazil, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic. 41% of countries in the world have bicameral systems while the remaining counties and unicameral systems which means they operate only one chamber or legislative house. Also, different countries have different names for the two legislatives houses that they operate. The United Kingdom for example call the two chambers, the House of Lords and the House of Commons, unlike in some countries where they have the Senate and the House of Representatives.