UK Constituition

Question 1

What is a constitution?

Answer 1

A framework of rules which are meant to constrain government power.

Question 2

What do constitutions do?

Answer 2

• establish duties, powers, limits and function of government
• regulate relationships between institutions
• define the relationship between state and individual

Question 3

Name the three types of constitutions

Answer 3

• codified/unconfined
• unitary/federal
• entrenched/un-entrenched

Question 4

What is a codified constitution and list the key features

Answer 4

codified constitution - based on a single document laying down the core principles of a government. (outlines duties, powers and functions of gov)

• document is authoritative: constitutes higher law
• provisions are entrenched: difficult to amend or abolish.
• it’s judiciable: political bodies are subject to the authority of the courts

Question 5

What is an uncodified constitution and list the key features

Answer 5

uncodified constitution - made up of rules found in a variety of sources

• not authoritative constitution
• not entrenched: constitution can be changed by passing a statue law
• not judiciable

Question 6

Define statue law

Answer 6

Laws that have been decided and approved by parliament

Question 7

Define Parliamentary Sovereignty

Answer 7

Parliament is the supreme legal authority in the UK, and create or amend any law which cannot be overruled in courts

Question 8

What is a unitary constitution?

Answer 8

A constitution that concentrates sovereign power in a single body

Question 9

What is a Federal constitution?

Answer 9

A constitution that is based on the principle of shared sovereignty, is that there are two relatively autonomous levels of government: national and regional

Question 10

What is devolution?

Answer 10

The decentralisation of government power.