Upper house

L'hémicycle du Sénat français en septembre 2009

File:Palazzo-madama-senato.jpg

Palazzo-madama-senato

House of Lords Chamber

New Rajya Sabha chamber in the New Parliament building

Upper house is one of the two chambers of a bicameral legislature, the other being the lower house. The division into two houses is intended to provide a double layer of oversight in lawmaking processes, with the upper house often playing a revising or scrutinizing role. The specific powers and functions of the upper house vary between countries, but they generally share the characteristic of being a deliberative body with certain powers over legislation.

Composition and Powers

The composition of an upper house varies from one country to another. In some countries, members of the upper house are elected, while in others they may be appointed. The methods of election or appointment, terms of office, and qualifications for membership also differ widely. For example, the United States Senate is composed of two senators from each state, elected by the people for six-year terms, whereas the House of Lords in the United Kingdom is largely made up of appointed members, life peers, and bishops of the Church of England.

Upper houses typically have powers that can include revising or vetoing legislation passed by the lower house, approving treaties, and in some cases, impeaching officials. However, the extent of these powers can vary significantly. In some countries, the upper house has equal power to the lower house, while in others, its powers are more limited.

Roles and Functions

The role of an upper house is often to act as a chamber of reflection, revision, and restraint. It is tasked with taking a more measured approach to legislation than the lower house, which may be more directly subject to political pressures due to its members being directly elected by the public. The upper house can provide a forum for more detailed examination of legislation and for representing interests that may not be adequately represented in the lower house.

Criticism and Support

The existence and role of upper houses are subjects of ongoing debate. Critics argue that upper houses can be undemocratic, especially when members are appointed rather than elected, or when the system of representation gives unequal weight to different regions or groups. They also argue that upper houses can obstruct the legislative process and slow down government action.

Supporters of upper houses contend that they play a crucial role in the legislative process by providing checks and balances, ensuring thorough scrutiny of legislation, and representing diverse interests. They argue that upper houses contribute to a more stable and deliberative democracy.

Examples

- The United States Senate is an example of an elected upper house with significant powers, including the ratification of treaties and the confirmation of presidential appointments. - The House of Lords in the United Kingdom is an example of an appointed upper house, which acts as a revising chamber, scrutinizing and suggesting amendments to legislation proposed by the House of Commons. - The Bundesrat of Germany represents the federal states at the national level and has the power to veto legislation affecting state interests.

Conclusion

Upper houses play a variety of roles in bicameral legislatures around the world, from revising legislation to representing specific interests. While their composition, powers, and functions vary widely, they are an integral part of the legislative process in many countries, contributing to the depth and quality of democratic governance.