Bicameral Legislature
A parliament with two chambers (upper and lower house), each with distinct roles and often different methods of selection.
Explanation
A bicameral legislature has two separate chambers that both play a role in the legislative process. The lower house (House of Representatives, House of Commons, Bundestag, National Assembly) is typically directly elected and closer to the people. The upper house (Senate, House of Lords, Bundesrat) provides a second layer of review and often represents different interests — states/regions in federal systems, or expertise in appointive systems. About 40% of the world's legislatures are bicameral. The power balance varies: in the US, both chambers are co-equal; in the UK, the Commons dominates; in Germany, the Bundesrat has veto power only on certain legislation.
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