strengths outweigh weaknesses

Question 1

federalism strengths

Answer 1

-prevents tyranny of the majority: texas conservative political culture 0% income tax
-representative and responsive government: colorado legalised cannabis
-allows representative and responsive government to solve social and eco issues: oregon death with dignity act

Question 2

federalism weaknesses

Answer 2

-impact on minorities not always positive: texas heartbeat act
-implications for ethnic minorities in southern states: voter ID laws in north carolina
-whether the constitution adequately protects it: medicare

Question 3

separation of powers and checks and balances strengths

Answer 3

-promotes decentralisation and compromise: respect for marriage act
-limits power of populists: mexico wall blocked
-benefits of separate judiciary: texas v johnson

Question 4

separation of powers and checks and balances weaknesses

Answer 4

-gridlock/shut downs: 2018 35 days
-rise of imperial judiciary: dobbs
-rise of imperial presidency: obama DACA

Question 5

bipartisanship strengths

Answer 5

-prevents one power holding a monopoly: forced compromise on build back better bill 2022
-more representative legislation: respect for marriage act 2022
-avoids tyranny of the majority: mexico wall blocked by congress

Question 6

bipartisanship weaknesses

Answer 6

-difficult in era of hyper-partisanship: MAGA wing’s refusal to work with democrats
-compromise more difficult when house districts are gerrymandered: democratic socialist wing of democrats refuse to work with democrats
-compromise unrealistic due to pressure group power: NRA and republicans

Question 7

limited government strengths

Answer 7

-protection of individual rights: obergefell
-protects minorities against ‘tyranny of the majority’: trumps muslim travel ban ruled unconstitutional
-government must overcome extraordinary legal powers to exercise power: FBI must gain a warrant to track cell phone data

Question 8

limited government weaknesses

Answer 8

-endangers rights of collective: far right views of KKK
-issues in practice (rise of surveillance state): PRISM programme
-issues in practice (issues with preventing rights violations at state level): texas heartbeat act

Question 9

entrenchment strengths

Answer 9

-protection of individual rights: second amendment
-ensures cross party consensus for constitutional reform: 22nd amendment has consensus
-fixed nature leads to greater understanding: easy to learn rights

Question 10

entrenchment weaknesses

Answer 10

-unrealistic degree of consensus needed: ERA gained 70% support still didn’t become law
-vague parts not reformed: 2nd amendment requires reform
-parties seek to amend constitution via backdoor: trump’s court nominations