the constitution

Question 1

what is a constitution?

Answer 1

a set of principles (which may be written or unwritten) that establish the distribution of power within a political system, relationships between poltitical institutions, the limit of government jurisdiction, the rights of citizens and the method of amending the constitution itself

Question 2

what and when was the enlightenment?

Answer 2

a wide ranging philosophical, cultural and scientific movement in 18th century europe

Question 3

what are the functions of a constitution?

Answer 3

• decides how political power should be shared within a country
• establishes the political processes
• states what limits can be placed on a government’s power and what rights citizens have
• to show how a constitution can be amended
• to determine how political power should be shared within a state
• establishes rules of nationality and who is entitled to be a citizen, as well as defining territory

Question 4

what is an example of this function of a constitution: decides how political power should be shared within a country?

Answer 4

devolution (the scotland acts)
us state governments

Question 5

what is an example of this function of a constitution: establishes the political processes?

Answer 5

the relationship between the us state courts and the supreme court

Question 6

what is an example of this function of a constitution: states what limits can be placed on a government’s power and what rights citizens have?

Answer 6

the us amendments
the 2020/2021 emergency powers for covid-19 lockdowns

Question 7

what is an example of this function of a constitution: to show how a constitution can be amended?

Answer 7

can be changed through laws in the uk

Question 8

what is an example of this function of a constitution: to determine how political power should be shared within a state?

Answer 8

local government act 2000
us federal government

Question 9

what is an example of this function of a constitution: establishes rules of nationality and who is entitled to be a citizen, as well as defining territory?

Answer 9

the 14th us amendment
2002 overseas territory act

Question 10

what is a codified constitution?

Answer 10

a constitution in which all of the fundamental rules that govern a country or state and many of the principles that underpin it are set out in a single authoritative document

Question 11

what are some features of a codified constitution?

Answer 11

• often formed after a particular event in a country’s history
• contains rules for changing or amending it
• constitutional laws hold higher value than regular laws
• gives and upholds the rights of citizens
• provides a focus for national identification
• easily accessed
• created a 2-tier legal system

Question 12

what is an uncodified constitution?

Answer 12

a constitution where the laws, rules and principles detailing how a state should be governed are not gathered in a single document

Question 13

what are some features of an uncodified constitution?

Answer 13

• not written in a single document or in an organised way
• parts may be written in different places
• some aspects just exist (e.g. the reliance on conventions)
• no rules of entrenched makes it easy to change
• constitutional laws hold the same status as regular laws
• actions of the courts are limited as there is no document to name a constitutional court