Reply #49: For the record, unicameral legislatures... [View All]

[anaxarchos]

...tend to be more democratic. The contemporary argument is that bi-cameralism is somehow designed to protect regional interest, etc. but the historical record is clear. Bi-cameralism grew out of the mistrust of popular elections (and "the people", themselves) and were designed to frustrate quick shifts in political power and particularly, popular power. The U.S. senate is typical. It is at least as powerful as the democratically elected house yet it is possible to get a majority there with less than 14% of the population. The Senate wasn't even popularly elected until the 1920's.

A move towards a unicameral legislature is likely to indicate a trend towards greater democracy, not less.

(BTW, if you accept the argument that bi-cameralism "protects minority rights", that is entirely true too... What is at issue is exactly which minority that might be...)