Features Of US Constitution

Question 1

What does it mean for the constitution to be codified?

Answer 1

-written in one place
-difficult to change
-key constitutional provisions collected within one document

Question 2

What does it mean for the constitution to be judicable?

Answer 2

-judges in SC ensure actions of gov in accordance with constitution
-constitution a higher law that all other laws are judged against
-highest law has legal authority

Question 3

What does the constitution being entrenched mean?

Answer 3

-not easily changed due to complex amendment process
-a highly complex process if change or amend it

Question 4

What does having separation of powers mean?

Answer 4

-FF est constitution that ensures separation between institutions so can ‘check’ + ‘balance’ power of other institutions
-avoid power being in hands of one person - limited gov

Question 5

How is the constitution specific and vague?

Answer 5

-implied powers - aren’t specifically states but are reasonably applied
-article 1 section 8empowers congress make all laws necessary + proper to carry out federal gov duties

Question 6

What does limited gov mean?

Answer 6

-separation powers ensures no single branch dominates as each is limited by the others
-gov enables individual freedoms with limited restrictions on individuals
-gov only gets involved when necessary e.g. during COVID

Question 7

What does it mean for the constitution to contain a representative gov?

Answer 7

-built around negotiations + cooperation not about representative democracy
-ensured larger states didn’t dominate smaller ones + smaller states didn’t have too much say

Question 8

What does it mean for the constitution to be sovereign?

Answer 8

-constitution acts as source of loyalty + attachment for most Americans
-article VI ‘this constitution…shall be the supervene law of the land’
-neither pres nor congress override provisions