Protection of the smaller units aga

Protection of the smaller units against dominance by the larger. As the units in no federation are identical in size and population, it is possible that the larger units may have a predominant influence in legislation on account of their larger representation in the lower House of the central Legislature (everywhere constituted on the basis of population). Two provisions are generally adopted to prevent this evil. (a) In the second chamber of the central Legislature, every unit is given equal representation (in the U.S.A., Australia, Switzerland, and the U.S.S.R.), or a provision is made, as in Weimar Germany, restricting the number of members that may be sent to the second chamber by any unit to less than one half of its total strength. Further, in the first four States mentioned, the second chamber is given powers equal, or very nearly equal, to those of the first. The constitution of the U.S.A. goes further and gives the Senate two important powers refusing its assent to the House of Representatives, those of consenting of refusing its assent to appointments and treaties made by the President. (b) It is stated (in Australia and Switzerland) that no amendments to the constitution may become valid until they have been ratified not only by a majority of the whole people, but also by a majority of the federal units. In the U.S.A. the consent of three-fourths of the states is necessary.