Lower house

As the House or Second Chamber (English House of Commons, or lower house, french chambre basse ) is called in a bicameral mostly those chamber of a parliament that represents the general, elected by the citizens parliament (also citizens or Chamber of Deputies ). The opposite her, first chamber is accordingly the upper house, the most historically was a representation of the objects, such as nobility or clergy, and nowadays often a representation of the member States ( " Bundesrat ").

• 2.1 Situation in Germany

• 3.1 Historical parliaments with the proper name " Second Chamber "

Term

Historically

Since historically the nobility usually more influential role in politics took as the "simple people", was the House of Lords as an important and thus further "up" ( House of Lords), or further "forward" (First Chamber) referred. Thus, the representation of the people took a secondary role.

Scientific policy

In political science modern two- chamber system, however, is partly used another ( diametrically opposite ) definition for the description: The type of a parliamentary chamber described here is referred to as the "first chamber " as the lower house rule is nowadays the more powerful chamber. In addition to the historical upper houses described above are listed here as features that this " second chamber " usually occupied disproportionately more than the other chamber to represent certain interests stronger. These are often regional or federal nature. Bicameral systems exist for this reason, especially in large states.

History

Modern parliaments originated in Germany and many other European countries until the early 19th century. It was common in the monarchies of constitutionalism that Parliament had two chambers. The second most mentioned chamber was usually chosen by the people, of which, however, only wealthy male citizens were meant. The first chamber, however, remained mostly the nobility and clergy subject (upper house ). Its members were automatically by their feudal position Chamber member or they have been appointed by the monarch.

The actual political debate took place either from the beginning in the second chamber instead or this state turned a over time. The choice of boundaries for the second chamber were gradually reduced, although universal suffrage for men and women was almost everywhere established after the First World War. If a timely manner, the first chamber is also open for new voters and candidates, again raises the question of the meaning of the two- chamber system. The first chamber is therefore usually different than the second usually not formed by direct popular election. So the first chamber may represent the regions of the country, while the second represents the national representation of the state's population as a whole.

Situation in Germany

In Germany, many parliaments were in the German states, especially in larger, two-chamber systems. After the Second World War had only Bavaria with its Senate (until 1998) a two-chamber system, since the unicameral has fully enforced in the provinces. The national parliaments are the former second chambers by name and function.

The same applies to the federal level in Germany. The German Constitutional Law does not see the Bundesrat as a chamber, in Germany only the Bundestag is called the Parliament. Scientific policy and for international comparison, however you can still view the Bundesrat well as a chamber; Accordingly, the Bundestag would take the position of the House of Commons.

Examples

Other examples of existing lower houses are the British House of Commons, the Austrian Federal Assembly of the Swiss National Council, the House of Representatives of the United States, the French National Assembly, the second chamber of the Dutch States-General, the Indian Lok Sabha and the Canadian House of Commons.

Past Parliaments with the proper name " Second Chamber "

• Second Chamber of the States General Baden
• Second Chamber of the States General of the Kingdom of Hanover
• Second Chamber of the Estates of the Grand Duchy of Hesse
• Second Chamber of the Estates of the Duchy of Nassau
• Prussian Second Chamber
• Second Chamber of the Saxon parliament
• Second Chamber of the Württemberg Estates