An Analysis of Bicameralism as a viable legislative system in Pakistan

Abstract

As a common perception, bicameralism is considered mandatory asset to Federal form of government, while contrary to this perception, the data from April 2014 shows that approximately 41.5% of legislatures around the world practice bicameral legislatures, whereas in Europe alone 64.58% have been noted as unicameral legislatures. In this paper, the researcher reviews and analyzes many of the arguments made on behalf of bicameralism using the data accessible through secondary sources. In, Pakistan bicameralism has become a traditional practice endorsed and legitimized by the constitution of 1973, however, the evolutionary forces of political compulsions require a more experimental approach towards legislative practices in Pakistan. The theoretical model provided by Path-Dependency facilitates this research in understanding the dynamics that obstructs the way of deviation from traditional approach and legislative efficiency in Pakistan. This study is aimed at provoking a debate on more diverse and solution-based ideas towards governance in Pakistan, concluding that it is not the structure of a legislature that decides the prosperity of a state but its efficiency.