POL 100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Constitution Act, 1982, Liberal Democracy, Living Document

• School: Simon Fraser University
• Department: Political Science
• Course: POL 100
• Professor: Loganathan Masilamani

Document Summary

The body of fundamental laws, rules and practices that defines the basic structure of government, allocates power among government institutions and regulates the relationship between citizens and the state. A constitutional government is one where the constitution effectively limits the power of the political elite. Thus in a constitutional polity the constitution organizes, but also restraints. In other words, liberal democracy is characterized not only by government elected by the people but also by constitutional government. To define the structure of major institution of government. To divide powers and duties among the various institutions of government. To regulate relations between the citizen and the state. To specify a procedure for amending the constitution. The laws governing a society must emanate from a known body according to set procedures. The law applies to everyone, including government officials. It must be possible for an individual to discover what the law is. The law will be enforced by proper courts.