THE CONSTITUTION
Key Topics:
What are the key features of the US Constitution
How are constitutional amendments made?
Why is the constitution so rarely amendment?
What are the principal constitutional rights?
What is the doctrine of the separation of powers?
How do checks and balances of the constitution work?
What is federalism and how has it changed?
What are the consequences of federalism?
What are the principal similarities and differences between the US and UK constitution?
The nature of the constitution – 3 key features
Codified constitution: A constitution that consists of a full and authoritative
set of rules written down in a single text
Supremacy clause: The portion of Article VI that states that Constitution as well as
treaties and federal law should be the supreme Law of the Land.
Enumerated (delegated) powers: Powers delegated to the federal government
under the constitution - generally these are enumerated in the first three Articles of the
Constitution
Implied powers: Powers possessed by the federal government by interference from those
powers delegated to it in the Constitution
Necessary and proper clause: The final clause of Article I which empowers congress
to make all laws’ necessary and proper to carry out the federal government’s duties
Reserved powers: Powers not delegated to the federal government, or prohibited by it to
the states, are reserved to the states and to the people
Concurrent powers: Powers possessed by both federal and state governments
Entrenchment: The application of extra legal safeguards to a constitutional provision to
make it more difficult to amend or abolish it.
Federalism: A system where sovereignty is constitutionally split between a central
governing authority and constituent political units.
Codified constitution:
US Constitution = collection of authoritative set of rules of American government
and politics.
Article I established Congress as national legislature, defining membership,
qualification and methods of election of members, and its powers.
Article II decided on a singular executive by vesting all executive power in the
President who would be chosen by Electoral College.
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Key Topics:
What are the key features of the US Constitution
How are constitutional amendments made?
Why is the constitution so rarely amendment?
What are the principal constitutional rights?
What is the doctrine of the separation of powers?
How do checks and balances of the constitution work?
What is federalism and how has it changed?
What are the consequences of federalism?
What are the principal similarities and differences between the US and UK constitution?
The nature of the constitution – 3 key features
Codified constitution: A constitution that consists of a full and authoritative
set of rules written down in a single text
Supremacy clause: The portion of Article VI that states that Constitution as well as
treaties and federal law should be the supreme Law of the Land.
Enumerated (delegated) powers: Powers delegated to the federal government
under the constitution - generally these are enumerated in the first three Articles of the
Constitution
Implied powers: Powers possessed by the federal government by interference from those
powers delegated to it in the Constitution
Necessary and proper clause: The final clause of Article I which empowers congress
to make all laws’ necessary and proper to carry out the federal government’s duties
Reserved powers: Powers not delegated to the federal government, or prohibited by it to
the states, are reserved to the states and to the people
Concurrent powers: Powers possessed by both federal and state governments
Entrenchment: The application of extra legal safeguards to a constitutional provision to
make it more difficult to amend or abolish it.
Federalism: A system where sovereignty is constitutionally split between a central
governing authority and constituent political units.
Codified constitution:
US Constitution = collection of authoritative set of rules of American government
and politics.
Article I established Congress as national legislature, defining membership,
qualification and methods of election of members, and its powers.
Article II decided on a singular executive by vesting all executive power in the
President who would be chosen by Electoral College.
1
