Constitution vocab list

Question 1

Constitution

Answer 1

Basic principles and laws of a legal basis of a policy, organisation, or a set of rights that determines how the gov will govern

Question 2

Codified constitution

Answer 2

A written constitutional document consolidated with a single text and formally adopted

Question 3

Uncodified constitution

Answer 3

Unwritten, a type of constitution where the fundamental rules are enforced through customs, usage, precedent and a variety of statutes and legal instruments

Question 4

Entrenched

Answer 4

Harder to amend than ordinary laws

Question 5

Un-entrenched

Answer 5

Has no specific procedure for amendment

Question 6

Unitary

Answer 6

A sov state governed by a single entity in which the central gov is the supreme authority

Question 7

Federalism

Answer 7

Political power is divided between a national and state gov, each having their own clear jurisdiction, focal point of it is decentralisation

Question 8

Parliamentary sovereignty

Answer 8

The legislative body (UK - Parl in Westminister) has absolute sov and is supreme over all other gov institutions

Question 9

Modernisation

Answer 9

The process of development and evolution to a higher level, in which a countrys constitutional system and political life moves from superstition and authority to rule of law, democracy

Question 10

Democratisation

Answer 10

Introduction of democratic principles to the political regime

Question 11

Decentralisation

Answer 11

Transfer of authority and responsibility for public functions from central gov to subordinate or quasi-independent gov and for the priv sector

Question 12

Civil Rights

Answer 12

The right of citizens to political and social freedom and equality

Question 13

Devolution

Answer 13

The transfer of power from central gov to a regional administration

Question 14

Assymetrical devolution

Answer 14

A type of devolution where the various regions have been granted unequal amounts of power