[:)J]

can anyone give me examples of each point i make on the evaluation of the UK constitution


it is flexible because it is uncodified, it can evolve naturally and respond easily to changing circumstances. EXAMPLE?
it is too flexible and so can be amended by a temporary government that wishes to serves it own purposes. EXAMPLE?

it provides for strong, decisive government which is not constrained by constitutional rules. The government's mandate is normally clear. EXAMPLE?
It allows governments to have too much power as there are inadequate constitutional safeguards in place. EXAMPLE?

The doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty makes government relatively accountable. Example?
Parliament is too weak relative to government and it is insufficiently representative. The electoral system reinforced the lack of representation.

its unitary nature helps to maintain national unit. EXAMPLE
Power is too centralised and so threatens democracy EXAMPLE?

the independent judiciary ensures that the rule of law is maintained
individual rights are not well protected because Parliament is not subject to consitutional control, example?

[emanuela15]

(Original post by :)J)
That would be amazing! Thank you!!!

Here's the c) part , I got 20/25 for it because of my lack of examples haha, but hey, this was timed

A constitution is a set of rules that dictate the way in which a country is to be governed. As it stands, Britain still does not have a codified constitution, and whether or not we should adopt a codified constitution has been repeatedly debated, most recently when Jack Straw hinted in 2008 that a new Bill of Rights and Responsibilities would best define the relationship between the citizens and the state.

One argument against the adoption of a codified constitution is the issue of flexibility. It is much easier to introduce an Act of Parliament in contrast to the rigorous process of amending a constitution. The best example of this is in America; where on numerous occasions the right to bear arms has not been changed, simply because the amendment needs to be approved by two thirds of both congress and the White House. Due to the rigid nature of written constitutions, they are often criticised for being out of date with the modern world.

Such a document would also strip Parliament of its sovereignty completely. Instead, the UK Spreme Court would become the main decision maker, as written constitutions are ruled upon by judges. Traditionally, however, Parliament's role has been to represent the wishes of the people with its elected MPs; if Parliament is not sovereign, then surely a written constitution would transform Britain into an undemocratic nation? In 2010 this was proven when the European Court of Human Rights amended the law so that prisoners could vote to elect MPs, when really the public was largely opposed to this development.

Thirdly, a codified constitution would increase judicial authority in the UK. Although people currently argue that the British political system is not as democratic as one would assume due to the unelected members of the House of Lords, the case would be the same if we were to adopt a codified constitution. Furthermore, we would not be able to change the system easily. Whereas with our uncodified constitution, we can reform the House of Lords, as the coalition government proposed to do in May 2011. This point again highlights the flexibility of an uncodified constitution, and shows that Britain would fare better by keeping hers.

In sum, Britain benefits from its uncodified constitution due to its flexibility, ability to maintain Parliament's level of sovereignty and its restraint on the UK Supreme Court.

[richardrobson]

lack of examples? there's one for each paragraph, surely that's enough? :P

[emanuela15]

Iono I thought it was enough too, but my teacher said I should have given examples on how the right to bear arms has not been changed, and more detail on the way congress works in the US

[baggyyo]

(Original post by emanuela15)
Iono I thought it was enough too, but my teacher said I should have given examples on how the right to bear arms has not been changed, and more detail on the way congress works in the US

She said you should have given more examples about the US? But, is the question not about the UK? I would have thought just a broad outline of the US as you have would be enough. I will have to watch out.

[Kardy]

(Original post by baggyyo)
She said you should have given more examples about the US? But, is the question not about the UK? I would have thought just a broad outline of the US as you have would be enough. I will have to watch out.

The US?! Maybe in the introduction a little, but other than that I'm doing no more. It's not a comparative course, so who cares?

[MOSJohn]

Would anyone else agree the questions for Unit 2 Jan 2012 were hard?

"To what extent has the formation of a coalition altered the relationship between Parl and Gov?"

"To what extent can judges check the power of the executive and the legislature?"

Could someone tell me the answers to those questions?

Do you think the Unit 2 Paper next week will be easier than that?

[emanuela15]

(Original post by Kardy)
The US?! Maybe in the introduction a little, but other than that I'm doing no more. It's not a comparative course, so who cares?

(Original post by baggyyo)
She said you should have given more examples about the US? But, is the question not about the UK? I would have thought just a broad outline of the US as you have would be enough. I will have to watch out.

I thought it was odd too!

[Kardy]

(Original post by MOSJohn)
Would anyone else agree the questions for Unit 2 Jan 2012 were hard?

"To what extent has the formation of a coalition altered the relationship between Parl and Gov?"

"To what extent can judges check the power of the executive and the legislature?"

Could someone tell me the answers to those questions?

Do you think the Unit 2 Paper next week will be easier than that?

The coalition question is messy. But I've written up a plan to revise from for the judiciary question if you want it.

To what extent can judges check the power of the executive and the legislature? - PLAN

It's for a 40 marker version but can be squashed/reduced to be used for 25 marks too.

[baggyyo]

(Original post by MOSJohn)
Would anyone else agree the questions for Unit 2 Jan 2012 were hard?

"To what extent has the formation of a coalition altered the relationship between Parl and Gov?"

"To what extent can judges check the power of the executive and the legislature?"

Could someone tell me the answers to those questions?

Do you think the Unit 2 Paper next week will be easier than that?

The 1st one was very hard but the 2nd was great. I did it for a mock and got 23/25 but i agree there is not much to talk about.
I talked about the 2 ways judicial review can be used as the ways for and against there are many arguments but I said that judges cannot declare it void and that they do not alter beforehand so the damage is already done.

[Jessicaalice1994]

Has anyone noticed how they never ask constitution and parliment together in section A or B? I think edexcel are nice and don't want to lump the two easier ones together and force us to do a subject we don't like such as executive or judiciary?

Is this like a rule? How likely u think it is that they will ask them together for the first time?

Is it really risky just revising those 2 coz I find the other 2 rly hard?

[baggyyo]

(Original post by Kardy)
The coalition question is messy. But I've written up a plan to revise from for the judiciary question if you want it.

To what extent can judges check the power of the executive and the legislature? - PLAN

It's for a 40 marker version but can be squashed/reduced to be used for 25 marks too.

That is a great plan! Thanks for sharing.

[baggyyo]

I found the June Unit 1 much easier than the Jan one but the Jan Unit 2 was quite easy compared to the unit 1 so is it likely to be a difficult paper then?

[Evolutionism]

(Original post by Jessicaalice1994)
Is it really risky just revising those 2 coz I find the other 2 rly hard?

From the sound of it you are revising two topics in Unit Two, it is generally advisable to know three just to be on the safe side because if both appear in one section you're screwed, if you revised three you have an option in one section and in the other section you will have to do the one you know about. Its better to be safe than sorry.

[I'll.Be.Back]

Okay, so say if I argued that the rule of law (so equality under the law) is upheld by the judiciary well, could I not use the example of the MPs expenses scandals in 2009?
e.g:
Many were sentenced under the law they had helped to create in the first place... Hence the judiciary ensure even the legislature themselves are not exempt from justice.... If I argued like that do you think the examiners would be convinced?

[baggyyo]

(Original post by I'll.Be.Back)
Okay, so say if I argued that the rule of law (so equality under the law) is upheld by the judiciary well, could I not use the example of the MPs expenses scandals in 2009?
e.g:
Many were sentenced under the law they had helped to create in the first place... Hence the judiciary ensure even the legislature themselves are not exempt from justice.... If I argued like that do you think the examiners would be convinced?

I think that would work but you would need to include like a name or something: more detail in your example.

[Kardy]

(Original post by baggyyo)
That is a great plan! Thanks for sharing.

Here's some more if you need them.

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/show...0#post37639790

[baggyyo]

(Original post by Kardy)
Here's some more if you need them.

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/show...0#post37639790

Thanks. It is much appreciated. :P How did you find unit 1?

[PrecieuxAaliyah]

Any predicted questions for the essay's (40 marks) for the paper on the Monday ? (21st)

[Kardy]

(Original post by baggyyo)
Thanks. It is much appreciated. :P How did you find unit 1?

It was eaaasy but for that one you can get away with only revising two topics. Which is what I did. Pressure Groups + Democracy & Participation, didn't even look at the other questions hah.