POLS 242 Chapter Notes - Chapter 8: Judicial Activism, Equal Protection Clause, Constitutionalism
17 Jan 2017
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Document Summary
Features of constitutions that form the basis of the political system. Separation of powers: judicial review and parliamentary sovereignty. Authoritarian and democratic constitutions: flexible and rigid constitutions. The most flexible constitutions may require only a simple legislative vote to change. *note: customs in the u. k. mean that constitution does change just on whims. In some countries, the judiciary reviews the constitutionality of legislation. Local government and administration is a direct extension of the national state. Making a constitution has often been an important democratic process. May suspend all or part of democratic constitution. May leave constitution intact, but govern outside its provisions. May put in place very progressive constitutions, but ignore the provisions. In other countries judicial review is not practiced. *note: some exceptions to this after 2009 in uk. May seek to return to democratic and constitutional rule. Federalism gives diff groups (ethnic, regional. ) some power & stake in system.
