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Bicameralism Debate Dominates the Great Council - Printable Version

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Bicameralism Debate Dominates the Great Council - Kris Kringle - 01-14-2015


Bicameralism Debate Dominates the Great Council
by Kris Montresor


Debate in 2015 Great Council has been so far dominated by a proposal from Delegate Tsunamy to establish a bicameral legislature in the South Pacific. Tsunamy has proposed keeping the Assembly as the gathering of all citizens, but with the addition of a General Congregation, whose membership would be of all nations in the South Pacific. While some have expressed interest in the proposal, opponents have been more vocal and have been dominating the debate so far.

Proponents of the amendment argue that the South Pacific owes itself to the region, and so the region should have a greater say in its own governance. With the creation of regional polls and pinned dispatches, it is said that such participation would be possible and desirable. Opponents argue that forum governance is more efficient and less prone to foreign manipulation, since there are forum mechanisms to ensure that no one has multiple votes, and further that otherwise uninformed nations could be lobbied to vote for certain options.

With some supporters saying that the tone of the debate has discouraged them from participating, and the more vocal participation of opponents, it is increasingly unlikely that the proposal will pass in its current form. However, there is still hope for the Great Council, since the floor will be opened to other proposals for government reform, on January 19.