(6) Comparisons between US and British constitution

(6) Comparisons between US and British constitution

1. Strengths

   • US
     • Codified
     • Accountable to the constitution
     • Social contract theory
       • Citizens were entitled to a government that protects there natural rights
     • Representation
       • Representative government carries with it own notions, notably majority rule and the imprecation there are clear limits to democracy
     • Separation of power
       • To make show that no intuition have to much power
     • system of check and balances
       • Both houses have to pass the bill but president can veto it
   • UK
     • Flexible
     • effective government
       • creates a strong and more effective government
     • history and tradtion
       • link to the past
     • democratic rule
       • long unbroken record so the constitution must work

2. Weakness

   • US
     • Non flexible codified
     • The separation of power mean that any decision will take time
     • system of check and balances
       • One part of the system could be particular uncooperative
   • UK
     • Potential for elective dictatorship
     • Centralization
       • Critics for over centralization of government ineffective check and balances. UK government is characterised more by the contrition of power than it fragmentation
     • Weak protection of rights
     • Uncertainty
       • Have to decipher