Which of the following pairs is not correctly matched ?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 4:

According to Benjamin Franklin: 'almost any second chamber is better than none'.

This pair is **not** correctly matched because the famous quote, "almost any second chamber is better than none," is not attributed to Benjamin Franklin. In fact, Benjamin Franklin was a staunch critic of bicameralism, particularly the concept of a powerful upper chamber. He is famously known for a statement that suggests the opposite sentiment: "A second chamber is like a cart with a horse hitched to both ends; it will pull in opposite directions and go nowhere." While he occasionally made satirical remarks or observations on the subject, the idea that "almost any second chamber is better than none" is often associated with arguments *in favor* of the bicameral system, suggesting that having an upper house, even a weak one, offers some benefit of revision or scrutiny. Thus, attributing a statement that implies support for the second chamber to Franklin, who was largely skeptical of them, makes this pair the incorrect match.

The incorrect option is 1:

According to S. S. Iyenger, bicameralism in democracy is an 'outworn creed' and second chambers are retained 'to provide scope for the ambitions of partymen who may not be accommodated in the first.'

This statement is correctly matched. Srinivas Shastri Iyengar, an Indian lawyer, politician, and independence activist, was known for his critical views on bicameralism, particularly in the context of the Indian legislative system. His perspective falls under the criticism that upper houses, or second chambers, often serve not as necessary checks on legislation but as a political dumping ground for ambitious party members who might otherwise be difficult to accommodate or who lost elections for the more powerful primary legislative body. By calling it an 'outworn creed,' he summarizes the feeling that the bicameral system is an outdated democratic structure that fails to serve a meaningful modern purpose.

The incorrect option is 2:

According to Abbe Sieyes: 'If a second chamber dissents from the first, it is mischievous; if it agrees with it, it is superflous'.

This statement is correctly matched and represents the classic, most concise, and often-cited argument against bicameralism. Abbé Sieyès, a French theorist during the French Revolution, articulated this famous dilemma, suggesting that a second chamber is redundant or harmful, regardless of its actions. If the upper house consistently agrees with the lower house, it merely duplicates the work and is therefore superfluous (unnecessary). Conversely, if the upper house constantly disagrees with the popular lower house, it obstructs the democratic will of the people and is thus mischievous (harmful or troublesome). This quote encapsulates the core anti-bicameral argument that Sieyès championed.

The incorrect option is 3:

According to Finer 'If the two assemblies agree, so much the better for our belief in the wisdom and justice of the law; if they disagree, it is time for the people to reconsider their attitude'.

This statement is correctly matched and accurately reflects the nuanced views of Herman Finer, a notable political scientist, on the legislative process. This quote argues for the value of bicameralism, suggesting that disagreement between the two chambers is not necessarily a defect but a signal that the policy needs further scrutiny, possibly by the electorate. Finer saw the agreement as a confirmation of good legislation but viewed disagreement as a valuable mechanism, forcing a pause and public reflection on the proposed law. This position is a moderate defense of the bicameral system, contrasting sharply with the categorical rejection offered by critics like Sieyès.