Comparing to the UK Flashcards
constitution
strengths and weaknesses of both constitutions
3 - sources
4 - principles
5 - amendment
6 - sovereignty
7 - separation of powers
8 - checks and balances
sources
US:
strengths = single document - clarity
weaknesses = interpretative amendments
UK:
strengths = statute law amongst sources highlights key docs and concepts
weaknesses = lack of clarity
principles
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
amendments
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
sovereignty
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)
separation of powers
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
checks and balances
US:
strengths = thorough scrutiny
weaknesses = same party - less effective scrutiny
UK:
strengths = scrutiny of executive by parliament (eg. select committees)
weaknesses = executive dominates
