factual knowledge test Flashcards
what is a constitution
a set of rules to govern a country
what was the name of the 18th century movement that created the modern constitution
the enlightenment
name 2 features of a codified constitution
written down, single document, entrenched
give 2 examples of countries with codified constitutions
US, France, Germany
give 2 examples of countries with uncodified constitution
UK, Israel, New Zeland
give one positive feature of an uncodified constitution
flexibility
give one negative feature for the people of a country of an uncodified constitution
citizens don’t know their rights
why are most codified constitutions entrenched
to stop the constitution form being amended easily
why was magna carta important to the development of the British constituent
because it is limited the power of King John and gave some of it to the barrons
what common law case limited the power of James 1 in 1610
case of proclamations
which monarch believed he ruled by the ‘divine right of kings’ to his detriment
Charles 1
what is parliamentary sovereignty
the principle that parliament is the ultimate source of all authority and power within the political system
what is the royal prerogative
the ancient powers of kings monarchs to be used as they wanted
what is the doctrine of separation of powers
separations of all political institutions
why is the bill of rights of 1689 such an important part of our codified constituions
because it gave specific written rights to citizens of Britain for the first time
