Final answer:
Problems resulting from having two territorial legislatures include legislative gridlock, inefficiency in the legislative process, and the systemic threat of polarization which decreases bipartisanship and increases the risk of more extreme legislation or failure to pass laws.
Step-by-step explanation:
Having two territorial legislatures can introduce several problems. The potential for legislative gridlock increases, especially when different parties control each chamber and have significant policy disagreements. This is exacerbated in conditions of high political polarization, where ideological differences are stark and compromise becomes challenging. Furthermore, the legislative process can become inefficient, as bills must pass through both chambers, possibly undergoing multiple revisions before agreement is reached, delaying important legislation or causing it to fail entirely.
Moreover, bicameral systems have the tendency to slow down the decision-making process. Each legislative body will need to discuss, debate, and vote on legislation, which not only doubles the time needed but also raises the chances of legislation not passing. It's worth noting that while bicameral legislatures aim to give voice to different segments of society, this representation comes with the cost of potential inefficacy in lawmaking.
Polarization presents a systematic threat to the function of a bicameral legislature, leading to situations where legislation could become more extreme or simply not pass at all. When the electorate becomes increasingly divided on ideological lines, the ability to foster bipartisanship and enact laws that possess broad support dwindles, potentially leading to volatile shifts in power during elections.