POLS 1150 Lecture Notes - Lecture 13: Compendium Of Postage Stamp Issuers (U), Magna Carta
Document Summary
Written: constitution is focused and concentrated (often) into a document, a document that clearly outlines the constitution in a single source, e. g. u. s, canada (bna act 1867 & constitution act 1982) Unwritten: no single document/series of elements that make up the constitution, a number of documents & conventions and customs, e. g. britain (magna carta 1215 & bill of rights 1689), new zealand. In general, there are (4) parts to a constitution: preamble, organizational section, delineates the rights of groups or individuals, mechanisms to amend the constitution. Preamble: right at the beginning of the document, provides general overview of what the creators of the constitution wish to accomplish, the broad principles, use of dramatic language. In canada, could not do this as protected by the constitution. Advantages of a unitary system/why concentrate power: efficiency, policy is decided one time and does not have to go through multiple levels, also reduces overlap/duplication.