Betham on Second Chamber of Legislature:
eremy Bentham was critical of the idea of a second chamber in government, such as a bicameral legislature, and he expressed his views in his work titled "A Fragment on Government." There are several reasons why Bentham regarded a second chamber as needless, useless, and worse:
Inefficiency and Delay:
Bentham argued that having two chambers could lead to inefficiency and delays in the legislative process. He believed that having a second chamber would result in redundant debates and discussions, slowing down the enactment of laws.
Obstruction to Legislation:
Bentham was concerned that a second chamber could act as an obstruction to legislation. He feared that the additional chamber might impede necessary reforms and obstruct the will of the majority.
Lack of Democratic Representation:
Bentham was an advocate for democratic principles and believed in the supremacy of the majority. He saw a second chamber as potentially undemocratic, especially if it had the power to veto decisions made by the elected representatives of the people.
Risk of Aristocratic Influence:
Bentham was wary of aristocratic influence and believed that a second chamber could be manipulated by the aristocracy, leading to decisions that favored the privileged few over the interests of the general population.
Complexity and Confusion:
Bentham favored simplicity and clarity in governance. He argued that adding a second chamber would introduce complexity and confusion into the legislative process, making it harder for the public to understand and participate in governance.
In summary, Bentham's objections to a second chamber were rooted in his concerns about inefficiency, potential obstruction to legislative action, lack of democratic representation, the risk of aristocratic influence, and a preference for simplicity in governance.
