POLI 2051 Chapter : POLI Test 2
Document Summary
Bicameralism: splitting power between two complimentary legislative bodies. Renders legislative branch slow and inefficient (ex: gridlock) Modern bicameralism (house and senate) a function of great compromise. Framers expected the house to be unstable, with an immediate dependence on the people . Legislators would take delegate approach: closely mirrors constituent preferences (2 year terms) Senate to be a place where cooler heads prevail; insulated from chaotic winds of public opinion (6 year terms) Senators take trustee approach: more freedom to use own judgment. Modern senate more stable because of boost in prestige assigned to position and power that senators wield. Reapportionment: redistribution of house representatives based on changing population. Occurs after an official census (ever 10 years) House has 435 members, which are divvied up. Modern reapportionment: states win or lose seats based on population gains or losses. Triggers need for redistricting: redrawing district lines to reshape a legislative seat"s constituency.
