Final answer:
The composition and power of legislative houses in democracies are explained, emphasizing how the lower house is usually larger, while the upper house is less powerful. It is also mentioned that the composition of the upper house changes less frequently. Descriptive representation and trusteeship roles of legislators are discussed, highlighting their responsiveness and wider fiduciary responsibilities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Composition and Power of Legislative Houses
In political systems, the lower house is usually larger than the upper house, making the statement true. This is because the lower house represents the larger population while the upper house represents smaller geographical areas or specific interests.
Contrary to the statement, in democracies, the upper house is usually less powerful than the lower house. The lower house typically has more authority in decision-making and lawmaking processes. An example of this is the United States, where the House of Representatives holds more power than the Senate.
The composition of the upper house tends to change less frequently than that of the lower house. This is because upper house members generally have longer terms or are appointed rather than elected. For instance, in the United States, senators serve six-year terms, while members of the House of Representatives serve two-year terms, leading to a more stable composition in the Senate than the House.
A legislature being highly descriptively representative means that its representatives are closely aligned with and represent the demographics of the people they serve. This enhances responsiveness to the demands and needs of the people. Examples of this include legislatures with proportional representation systems or implementing affirmative action policies to increase diversity in representation.
When legislators serve as trustees of the people, they are entrusted with making decisions based on their own judgment and conscience, taking into consideration the best interests of the entire constituency, not just those who voted for them.
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