Suchergebnisse

The ideas that underlie bicameralism may be traced back to the theories developed in ancient Greece & Rome, though recognizable bicameral institutions arose first in medieval Europe where they were associated with separate representation of different estates of the realm. The American Founding Fathers eschewed any notion of separate representation for a social aristocracy, but accepted the prevailing disposition towards bicameralism. However, they then invented a new rationale for bicameralism linked with federalism. In subsequent constitution-making, federal states have invariably adopted bicameralism, but the older justification for second chambers as providing opportunities for second thoughts about legislation has survived. A trend toward unicameralism in the 20th century appears now to have been halted. Growing awareness of the complexity of the notion of representation & the multifunctional nature of modern legislatures may be affording incipient new rationales for second chambers though these do generally remain contested institutions in ways that first chambers are not. Adapted from the source document.

A review essay on a book by Sean Sayers, Marxism and Human Nature (London, Routledge, 1998). This text rejects the current position that historical approaches to Marxism are outdated & offers an alternative conception of Marxist theory that counters the one developed by analytical Marxists. Sayers's main contentions that the development of human nature is basically a historical process & that such a conception of human nature engenders a distinct moral code, moral historicism, are discussed. Although Sayers argues that work is a more important form of self-realization than leisure, his argument is severely criticized for failing to demonstrate that work is the most important human activity. In addition, Sayers's assertion that creative work is morally respected because people simply regarded such work as morally ideal is questioned; specifically, it is stated that people's desire to achieve self-realization through work is unsubstantiated in Sayers's text. Nevertheless, it is concluded that Sayers adequately demonstrates the importance of work & for illustrating how people's attitudes toward work & leisure have changed in postindustrial society. J. W. Parker