All of Topic 6 - Comparative points at a glance

Question 1

Constitutions - Similarities

Answer 1

1) Both embrace the principles of federal gov
2) Both provide for a somewhat independent judiciary
3) Both seek to protect the individual rights of citizens

Question 2

Constitutions - Differences

Answer 2

1) US constitution = entrenched and inflexible - UK constitution = unentrenched and flexible
2) US constitution = codified - UK constitution = uncodified
3) US constitution = sovereign - UK parliament is sovereign

Question 3

Congress and Parliament - Similarities

Answer 3

1) Both represent supreme law making authority
2) Both are bicameral
3) Both are representative

Question 4

Congress and Parliament - Differences

Answer 4

1) Congress not sovereign in the US - Parliament is sovereign in the UK
2) US = two directly elected chambers - UK system = one directly elected chamber
3) Power of impeachment in US = Pres - Vote of no confidence in UK = Gov

Question 5

Federalism and devolution - Similarities

Answer 5

1) Both allow regional institutions to govern policy in certain areas
2) Both similar in that they allow greater freedom of politics in regional institutions
3) Quasi-federalism

Question 6

Federalism and devolution - Differences

Answer 6

1) Federalism older - 1789 - Devolution recent - 1997
2) Devolved powers delegated in UK - State powers reserved in US
3) States have more power in US - devolved bodies have less power than states

Question 7

Checks and balances - Similarities

Answer 7

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Question 8

Checks and balances - Differences

Answer 8

1) Checks and balances front and centre of the constitution in articles 1-3 - checks and balances more subtle in UK
2) Checks and balances lead to protection of rights in US EG amendment process - much weaker in UK with less protection of rights
3) ???