constitution
constitutionalism
codified / uncodified constitution
unitary / federal constitution
parliamentary sovereignty
pooled sovereignty
devolution
quasi-federalism
elective dictatorship
Syllabus Outline
Nature of the constitution — a knowledge and understanding of the features of a constitution and of the benefits of constitutional government, including the differences between codified and uncodified constitutions, and an understanding of the nature, sources and key features of the UK constitution.
Sovereignty and the constitution — a knowledge and understanding of debates about the location of sovereignty within the UK constitutional system, particularly in relation to the significance of European Union membership and devolution.
Reforming the constitution — a knowledge and understanding of key reforms to the constitution since 1997, such as devolution and Lords reform, and an awareness of their advantages and disadvantages; and an understanding of ongoing debate about constitutional reform, including the possible introduction of a ‘written’ constitution.
Explanation of Content
- Definition of a constitution.
- Features of written / codified constitution — e.g. single source, two-tier legal system, entrenchment, judicial review.
- Features of unwritten / uncodified constitutions — e.g. variety of sources, flexibility.
- Sources of UK constitution — e.g. statute law, common law, conventions, works of constitutional authority, EU law and treaties.
- Location of sovereignty within UK system — e.g. nature of sovereignty, parliamentary sovereignty, implications of EU membership, "pooled" sovereignty.
- Strengths of UK’s uncodified constitution — e.g. organic and adaptable, responsiveness to public opinion.
- Drawbacks of uncodified constitution — e.g. elective dictatorship, weak checks and balances, weak protection for individual rights.
- Constitutional reform since 1997 — e.g. devolution, PR electoral systems, referendums.
- Evaluating past and possible future constitutional reforms.
