Comparing to the UK

Question 1

constitution

Question 2

strengths and weaknesses of both constitutions

Answer 2

3 - sources
4 - principles
5 - amendment
6 - sovereignty
7 - separation of powers
8 - checks and balances

Question 3

sources

Answer 3

US:
strengths = single document - clarity
weaknesses = interpretative amendments

UK:
strengths = statute law amongst sources highlights key docs and concepts
weaknesses = lack of clarity

Question 4

principles

Answer 4

US:
strengths = shared powers, separation of powers, checks and balacnes
weaknesses = some principles not named in constitution

UK:
strengths = scrutiny - checks and balacnes
weaknesses = fusion of branches - not separate

Question 5

amendments

Answer 5

US:
strengths = protects rights - hard to amend
weaknesses = tyranny of minority

UK:
strengths = modern - easy to change
weaknesses = can be taken advantage of by gov

Question 6

sovereignty

Answer 6

US:
strengths = constitution is sovereign - branches don’t go beyond powers
weaknesses = shared sovereignty between federal and state can be seen as unequal

UK:
strengths = parliamentary sovereignty, devolution
weaknesses = executive dominates in legislatory (pluralist system)

Question 7

separation of powers

Answer 7

US:
strengths = enables sharing of powers, checks and balances
weaknesses = divided gov or gridlock if executive and legislatory don’t cooperate

UK:
strengths = SC is independent - can hold other branches to account
weaknesses = executive and legislatory is fused - executive dominates

Question 8

checks and balances

Answer 8

US:
strengths = thorough scrutiny
weaknesses = same party - less effective scrutiny

UK:
strengths = scrutiny of executive by parliament (eg. select committees)
weaknesses = executive dominates