9. How do political regimes establish and enforce the rules of the game?

Question 1

Constitutions are like…

Answer 1

“Power maps” for political regimes ; they set out the environment within political regimes operate + describe how power is distributed

Question 2

Definition of a Constitution ?

Answer 2

Rules that intend to regulate functions, powers and duties among the various agencies and governments and between governments and people.

Question 3

A constitution “constitutes”…

Answer 3

A state

Question 4

Example of a long constitution

Answer 4

India

Question 5

2 categories of constitutions

Answer 5

• Written constitution (Codified) : US, France, Germany ‘Basic Law’, India, Switzerland
• Unwritten constitution (uncodified) ; only 3 countries : Israel, NZ, UK

Question 6

1st amendement of the US constitution ?

Answer 6

Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech

Question 7

Autocratic countries do not have constitutions : true or false ?

Answer 7

False. Russia. Constitutions that “give” rights, meaning the country (USSR, Russia) can take them away ≠ when citizens actually “have” rights

Question 8

Main content of constitution

Answer 8

The political regime’s ideology and philosophy (France).

Question 9

French Charter for the Environment : date

Answer 9

2004. Completes the Preamble to the Constitution of 58 with the Constitution of 1946.

Question 10

Constitution = expression of…

Answer 10

Basic laws of the political regimes, not easy to amend in the US.

Question 11

“Entrenched” constitutions vs “unentrenched constitutions”

Answer 11

Require special procedures for amendment (supermajority)

≠can be amended by regular majority vote

Question 12

Unentrenched constitutions in which countries ?

Answer 12

The 3 with unwritten constitutions