Constitutional Change Flashcards
What are codified constitutions said to be?
entrenched
Why are codified constitutions said to be entrenched?
because the process of formally amending the codified document is made difficult as those who seek change must secure large majorities than would be needed to pass a regular statute
In the US, who propose amendments to the constitution?
2 thirds of each chamber of the legislature
What are the 2 chambers of the legislature in the US?
the House and Senate
After amendments to the constitution are formally proposed by 2 thirds of each chamber, what then happens?
the proposals are ratified by 3 quarters of the 50 US states
In many European states, how are constitutional amendments confirmed?
by a public vote or referendum
Who in the UK show that actually the UK constitution is flexible?
the judiciary
How are the judiciary flexible?
as they use their interpretive power to rework ageing documents and apply them to each new age
What amendment was the US constitutional right to bear arms?
the Second Amendment
What has the entrenched constitutional right in the Second Amendment to bear arms lead to difficulty in?
difficult for those who seek to enforce US wide restrictions on the possession of fire arms to do so
How did the UK ban handguns?
Through a simple Act of Parliament
When did the UK ban handguns?
After the murder of 16 schoolchildren and their teacher in Dunblane 1996
What has it became common for major constitutional changes to be secured by?
referendums
When was the Scottish Parliament referendum?
1998
When was the EU referendum?
23rd June 2016
