noun
- a system of government in which the legislature consists of two separate chambers or houses
Usage: political science
Examples
- The United States practices bicameralism with the House of Representatives and the Senate.
- Many democratic countries have adopted bicameralism to provide checks and balances.
- Bicameralism allows for more thorough review of proposed legislation.
- The framers of the Constitution chose bicameralism to balance representation between large and small states.
- Some critics argue that bicameralism can slow down the legislative process.
- Australia’s bicameralism includes the House of Representatives and the Senate.