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The role of a second chamber in a healthy democracy.
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Selected thesis
According to Protective Democracy...
Pros
Cons
Pro claim 1
An unelected second legislative branch is beneficial as in the UK the Lords (in the House of Lords) have expert knowledge in key areas e.g. economics, some will have specialist knowledge elected MP's don't.
Pro claim 2
While the UK House Of Lords has the ability to veto legislation introduced via the Lords, the ability of the Lords to veto legislation introduced elsewhere is limited by the convention of 'House Of Commons primacy'. While this may limit the ability of the Lords to hypothetically act as a check on other parts of government, it also limits the ability of unelected peers to overrule elected Commons MPs.
Pro claim 3
✔ Focuses on safeguarding individual freedoms and preventing tyranny through limited government.
Con claim 1
However, some may argue without being elected, they lack the letigmacy to govern (pass/ engage in the law making process).
Con claim 2
✖ May lead to political passivity and ignore social inequalities that limit real freedom.