UK GOVERNMENT - CONSTITUTION KEY WORDS

Question 1

CONSTITUTION

Answer 1

a set of laws and guidelines setting out how and political system works, and where power is located within that system. it also defines the duties and functions of government institutions, the relations among the institutions, and the relations between the state and citizens.

Question 2

CODIFIED

Answer 2

a constitution which is entirely contained within a single legal document

Question 3

ENTRENCHED

Answer 3

a relatively inflexible constitution which is enshrined within higher law and protected by higher court which requires special legal procedure in regard to its amendment

Question 4

UNITARY

Answer 4

a constitution whereby all legal sovereignty is contained within a single location

Question 5

PARLIAMENTARY SOVEREIGNTY

Answer 5

concept dictating parliament to be able to make, unmake, and amend legislation on any topic, and unable to bind its successor/be bound by its predecessor

Question 6

RULE OF LAW

Answer 6

principle that all people - including government officials - must obey the law, are equal under the law, and will be held to account by the courts if they break the law

Question 7

STATUTE LAW

Answer 7

bodies of law which have been passed by parliament

Question 8

COMMON LAW

Answer 8

legislation which has been created by judges in circumstances whereby statute law does not apply or is unclear

Question 9

CONVENTIONS

Answer 9

traditions, customs, and practices which are not contained within law, but maintain influence within a political system

Question 10

AUTHORITATIVE WORKS

Answer 10

works written by experts which are not legally binding, but are taken as significant guidelines as to how a political system should run

Question 11

TREATIES

Answer 11

formal agreements between countries which have usually been ratified by parliament

Question 12

DEVOLUTION

Answer 12

the dispersal of power - but not sovereignty - within a political system