acameral

Acameral is an adjective used in political science to describe a governmental or legislative system that lacks a formal legislative chamber. It stands in contrast to unicameral systems, which have one chamber, and bicameral systems, which have two houses. The term is derived from Latin a- meaning without and camera meaning chamber.

In theory, acameral arrangements may be described for states whose lawmaking authority resides entirely in the executive or in a non-chamber council, or where laws are enacted through direct mechanisms such as referendums rather than through a legislature composed of elected representatives. In practice, acameral governments are rare in modern national states; the term is more common in historical analysis or theoretical discussion about alternative constitutional forms.

Implications of an acameral structure include questions about representation, accountability, and pluralism. Lawmaking may rely on executive decrees, royal or presidential prerogatives, or popular vote, and checks and balances may differ from those found in legislatures with chambers. Some scholars use acameral to emphasize the absence of a legislative chamber rather than the absence of lawmaking.

Examples of contemporary sovereign states described as acameral are uncommon; the term is typically used in historical or theoretical contexts to discuss absolute monarchies or other regimes lacking a formal legislature. It serves as a contrast to unicameral and bicameral systems, highlighting the specific structural feature of having no formal legislative chamber at all.