Government Flashcards
What are the 3 functions of a constitution?
They determine how political power should be distributed within the state
Determine the balance of power between the institutions of government
Establish the political process that make the system work
What is codified constitution?
Written in a single authoritarian document= clearly distinguish and established
What is entrenched?
Set procedure for amendment , difficult to change , made quickly
Arguments for codification of the uk constitution?
Clear list of rights for minorities
Higher constitutional law gives clarity
What was the fixed term parliament acts 2011?
General elections can only be held every 5 yrs. only allows the pm to call general elections when 2/3 House of Commons agree or if they lose vote of no confidence
What was the impact of e signatures to parliamentary reform?
100,000 e signatures on issues leads to it most likely being debated in parliament. This ensures that the parliaments become relevant to people’s lives
What is electoral reform?
The coalition government agreed for a more proportional forms of legislation.
What r 2 examples of parliamentary reform?
Backbench business committee
E sig
What is a unitary state?
A type of gov that concentrates its power into central gov which has ultimate sovereignty e,g uk
What is a federal state?
A type of gov that combines a central gov with national gov, each state has autonomous control over abortion, death penalties and guns but bigger issues such as immigration is discussed by the gov
What is quasi- federalism?
Adopting similar characteristics to federalism
Difference and similarities between fed and uni?
Federal cannot take back power from state gov
Both disperse power to other regions and allow other states to make their own laws
Uni can take back power, Westminster parliament can retract all the devolved powers away bc of parliament sovereignty
Arguments against devolution?
Democratic overload
Asymmetric transfer of powers
