(6) Comparisons between US and British constitution
Description
A level Governing the UK - 2C (The Constitution) Mind Map on (6) Comparisons between US and British constitution, created by Marcus Danvers on 19/09/2013.
(6) Comparisons between US and British constitution
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
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