Return of bicameralism and perceived congressional legitimacy in northern Peru

Seclén G.A.V.; Espinoza A.L.C.; Muñoz L.V.; Altamirano R.S.J.; Bances C.S. · Multidisciplinary Science Journal (2026) · DOI: 10.31893/multiscience.2027116

Resumen

This cross-sectional, non-experimental correlational study estimates the association between support for restoring bicameralism and the perceived legitimacy of Peru's current unicameral Congress among adult residents of La Victoria district (Chiclayo) in 2025. A structured questionnaire was administered to 384 residents to measure: (a) knowledge of bicameralism (concept and functions), (b) support for bicameral reform, and (c) congressional legitimacy (institutional trust, perceived representativeness, and fairness), using Likert-type scales. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics and tested using bivariate Pearson correlation (α = .05). Descriptive results indicate predominantly moderate knowledge of bicameralism and a popular assessment of low legitimacy and limited representational capacity of Congress. Pearson correlation analysis shows a significant positive relationship between support for bicameralism and perceived legitimacy (r = .578, p < .001), suggesting that more favorable attitudes toward reform co-occur with higher legitimacy evaluations. The findings underscore the need for civic education and transparent public communication about legislative designs to prevent opinion formation based on misinformation. For reform debates to gain social legitimacy, participatory deliberation spaces should be strengthened at the local level, enabling citizens to assess trade-offs in representation, accountability, and costs. By grounding the reform debate in district-level survey evidence, the study provides practical inputs for public institutions planning information campaigns and citizen participation processes around potential constitutional change on Peru's northern coast.

Instituciones: Universidad César Vallejo