A-Level Politics: Understanding the Constitution

What is a Constitution?

• A set of rules by which a state or organization operates.
• Most countries have codified constitutions; the UK does not.

Key Principles of the UK Constitution

Parliamentary Sovereignty

• Parliament holds ultimate power.
• Most powerful body in the UK — laws passed by Parliament cannot be overridden.
• Each new Parliament is sovereign; no past Parliament can bind future ones.

Rule of Law

• Established by the Magna Carta.
• Everyone is subject to the law; no one is above it.

Constitutional Monarchy

• Monarch is the head of state with no real power.
• The King must pass laws as given by Parliament (royal assent) but cannot influence politics.

Unitary State

• Centralized power; decisions made for the entire country from Westminster.
• Some devolved powers exist, but ultimate power lies with Westminster.

Components of the UK Constitution

• Statute Law: Highest form of law, passed by Parliament.
• Common Law: Made by judicial rulings; sets precedents but is subordinate to statute law.
• Conventions: Traditions and customs without legal basis, shaping political processes.
• Treaties and Significant Texts: Influences from major writings and agreements.

Codification Debate

Definition of a Codified Constitution

• A single, entrenched document containing all rules and laws of a state.
• Difficult to change, providing stability but also inflexibility.

Arguments for Codification

• Protects citizen rights by providing a clear legal framework, similar to the US Bill of Rights.
• Prevents governments from easily altering fundamental laws for self-benefit.

Arguments Against Codification

• Inflexibility and difficulty in changing outdated laws.
• UK's flexible constitution allows for rapid legal and social progress (e.g., legalizing gay marriage, abolition of death penalty).
• Entrenchment in codified constitutions can lead to outdated laws that don't reflect modern society (e.g., gun laws in the US).

Role of Judiciary

• In the US, judges have significant power in interpreting the constitution, potentially leading to biased decisions.
• In the UK, power is more directly in the hands of elected representatives and the people.

Conclusion

• Understanding the unique aspects of the UK's constitution and the ongoing debate about codification is crucial for A-level politics students.
• Stay tuned for further parts of this topic discussion.

More insights and detailed discussions will follow in future presentations. Thank you for attending this session.