Final answer:
A legislative body with two chambers is called a bicameral legislature, which includes divisions such as the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. This structure is prevalent in many democracies and is designed to ensure checks and balances within the legislative process.
Step-by-step explanation:
A legislative body with two chambers is known as a bicameral legislature. This structure entails the division of the legislature into two separate assemblies, typically described as an upper chamber and a lower chamber, which work together to pass legislation. Examples of bicameral legislatures include the United States Congress, composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives, and many state legislatures. Bicameral systems are a feature of about 40 percent of the world's democracies, including the United States. The bicameral structure is believed to provide a check and balance within the legislative process.
The appropriations process, critical to governmental budgeting, must clear both chambers of a bicameral legislature. Additionally, legislative procedures such as a cloture motion can be used to overcome filibusters or other forms of legislative stalling, often requiring a supermajority. In the context of governmental coalitions, two or more different parties may decide to cooperate to form a majority within a legislative chamber.
In summary, a bicameral legislature, such as the United States Congress, is designed to ensure thorough deliberation on laws and represents a compromise that balances the differing interests within a society.