Lecture 7

A document or a set of documents that outlines the powers, institutions and structure of government, as well as expressing the rights of citizens and the limits on government

One that is set out in a single, self-contained document

One that is spread among several documents

A list of the rights of the citizens of a state or a political community, contained within a constitution and designed to restrict the abuse of power by government

The question of the legal procedures for amending a constitution

An element of a constitution that is considered inalienable and that cannot be amended or removed

The power of courts to nullify any laws or actions proposed or taken by government officials that contravene the constitution. Also known as constitutional review

The power of the highest court in a state to review decisions by lower courts

An approach to the study of politics and government that focuses on the structure and dynamics of governing institutions

A revival of institutionalism that goes beyond formal rules and looks at how institutions shape decisions and define interests

The process by which organizations build history, memory, stability and permanence

Judgements made on the constitutional validity of law, policy or government action in the context of a specific case

The power of a court to review cases that originate with the court itself

The power of a court to review decisions reached by lower courts

Advice (not usually binding) given by a court on the constitutionality of a law, policy or action of government

The view that judges out of deference to the elected branches of government, should not strike down laws unless they are obviously unconstitutional

The willingness of judges to venture beyond narrow legal reasoning and potentially to influence public policy

The willingness of judges to venture beyond narrow legal reasoning and potentially to influence public policy

The idea that courts should be free from political influence, whether from other parts of government or from actors outside government

The idea that courts should be free from political influence, whether from other parts of government or from actors outside government

A situation in which a government gives itself additional powers to deal with a natural disaster, civil unrest or armed conflict

Law declared by a military government or an occupying military force, during a supposedly temporary suspension of civilian law

One in which sovereignty rests with the national government, and regional or local units have few independent powers

One in which sovereignty is shared between two or more levels of government, each with independent powers and responsibilities. Otherwise known as a federation