The UK Constitution

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  • Created by: Hologram
  • Created on: 26-12-17 19:49
what is a constitution?
a set of rules that seek to establish the powers of gov institutions, regulate the relationship between the institutions and define the relationship between state and individual
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what are the principles of the constitution?
parliamentary sovereignty, the rule of law, parliamentary gov, constitutional monarchy and EU membership
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what is parliamentary sovereignity?
sovereignty defines the location of supreme constitutional power
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what power does the sovereign body hold?
has the ability to shape/reshape the constitutional and define the power of subordinate bodies and can make, amend or repeal any law
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what is the rule of law?
has traditionally been seen as an alternative to a codified constitution, showing that, even in the absence of higher law, the gov is still subject to checks and constraints
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what is the structure of the UK constitution?
based on a fusion of powers between the executive ad parliament
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what is the role of the monarchy?
to promote popular allegiance, serve as a symbol of political unity above party politics
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what is one of the implications that EU membership has for the UK constitution
the role and significance of power (can parliament still be seen as sovereign?)
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what is the definition of sovereignity?
the principle of absolute and unlimited power, implying either supreme legal authority (legal sovereignty) or unchangeable political power (political sovereignity)
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what is limited gov?
a form of gov in which gov power is subject to limitations and checks, providing protection for the individual
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what are the 5 main features of the UK's constitution?
fusion of powers, flexible, uncodified, unitary and parliamentary sovereignty
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what does an uncodified constitution mean?
a constitution that isn't confined to one single document, much of it may be written down but it is in a variety of documents
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what does a codified constitution mean?
a constitution that is found in one single document, which outlines the structure of the constitution and the organisation of the state
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what does a unitary constitution mean?
a constitution where ultimate power lies with a central body which is soverign (used in UK)
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what does a federal constitution mean?
a constitution where legal sovereignty is shared between gov at the centre and the constituent states (used in US)
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what does the 'fusion of powers' mean?`
where the executive branch and legislative branch of gov intermingle
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what is an example of 'fusion of powers'?
Theresa May is both a member of the legislative branch (MP for Maidenhead) and the executive branch (PM)
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what is a flexible constitution?
a type of constitution where changes can take place without a lengthy special procedure (eg Parliament can simply pass another act of Parliament)
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what is a rigid constitution?
a type of constitution where changes can only take place as a result of a special constitutional amendment procedure (this occurs in Rep of Ireland)
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what are the 3 sources of proposed bills?
gov/executive bills, private member's bills and emergency bills
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what is an example of a gov proposed bill?
EU (withdrawal) Bill, 2017
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what is an example of a private member's bill?
Homelessness Reduction Act, 2017 introduced by Bob Blackman (tory)
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what is an example of an emergency bill?
Emergency Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Bill, 2014
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what is an example of a successful private members bill?
Mike Wood's (tory) Riot Compensation Act 2016 in response to London riots
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what is Ronald Reagen's famous quote on limited gov?
"Man is not free unless government is limited."
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

what are the principles of the constitution?

Back

parliamentary sovereignty, the rule of law, parliamentary gov, constitutional monarchy and EU membership

Card 3

Front

what is parliamentary sovereignity?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

what power does the sovereign body hold?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

what is the rule of law?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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