Constitution Questions
Newton, Kenneth and Jan Van Deth. Foundations of Comparative Politics: Democracies of the Modern World. 2nd Edition. Cambridge University Press, 2010.
Excerpt: 71-83 “Constitutions”
Introduction
1. The reading assumes you know the difference between a president and prime minister. Do you? Explain in your own words some key differences.
2. Pay attention to the following key terms in the introduction (71-72). The reading will explain the meanings of these terms in some detail.
a. Unitary vs. federal system
b. Unicameral legislature vs. bicameral legislature
c. The most important functions of a constitution
3. Explain in your own words the “constitution as game” analogy (72).
4. Make a simple drawing that labels and explains the following principles that allow a constitution to create a “level playing field’ for political decision-making (72-74).
a. “rule of law”
b. “transfer of power”
c. “separation of powers”
The separation of powers
5. There is a long section of reading on “separation of powers” that explains executives, legislatures, judiciaries (pages 75-81). Read through the discussion. Then write down five (5) pieces of information that you think would be essential to know when explaining the concept of “separation of powers.”
6. What is “judicial activism” (81-82)?
7. What, according to the reading, is the key difference between a “unitary” and a “federal” state?
8. Within one of the pages that is not attached to your version, the authors state that “constitutions are rather like maps or blueprints of the main institutions.” What does that mean?
Excerpt: 71-83 “Constitutions”
Introduction
1. The reading assumes you know the difference between a president and prime minister. Do you? Explain in your own words some key differences.
2. Pay attention to the following key terms in the introduction (71-72). The reading will explain the meanings of these terms in some detail.
a. Unitary vs. federal system
b. Unicameral legislature vs. bicameral legislature
c. The most important functions of a constitution
3. Explain in your own words the “constitution as game” analogy (72).
4. Make a simple drawing that labels and explains the following principles that allow a constitution to create a “level playing field’ for political decision-making (72-74).
a. “rule of law”
b. “transfer of power”
c. “separation of powers”
The separation of powers
5. There is a long section of reading on “separation of powers” that explains executives, legislatures, judiciaries (pages 75-81). Read through the discussion. Then write down five (5) pieces of information that you think would be essential to know when explaining the concept of “separation of powers.”
6. What is “judicial activism” (81-82)?
7. What, according to the reading, is the key difference between a “unitary” and a “federal” state?
8. Within one of the pages that is not attached to your version, the authors state that “constitutions are rather like maps or blueprints of the main institutions.” What does that mean?