Constitution key terms Flashcards
what is a constitution?
a body of laws used to govern a country. These are created to stop a government from becoming overpowered
what does codified mean?
An authoritative document specifying the laws,rules and principles on how a state should be governed contained on a single document
what does uncodified mean?
A constitution containing the laws,rules and principles on how to govern a state are not contained in a single document. They can come in various sources : written - statue or unwritten - convention
What does entrenched mean?
It is difficult to change a constitution
it can only be changed by a supermajority or a popular referendum
what does un/non-entrenched mean?
laws,rules and principle hold the same status as others and can be amended easily
what does unitary mean?
All powers are concentrated in a single body/institution i.e UK parliament
what does federal mean?
Powers are shared across institutions i.e US
Power can be national or state
what does rigid and flexible mean?
rigid: constitutions are difficult to amend for example, US constitution has only been amended 27 times
flexible: constitution is easily amendable for example UK in 1997 underwent manor constitutional reform such as house of lords reform or the Queen paying tax. Some potentially outdated laws and principles may remain.
