A* Politics Paper 3 Memorisation Notes
TOPIC 1 - THE US CONSTITUTION & FEDERALISM
, A* Politics Paper 3 Memorisation Notes
TOPIC 1 - THE US CONSTITUTION & FEDERALISM
K E Y T E R M I N O LO G Y
Constitution - Rules establishing how a state is governed.
C o d i f i e d - Wr i t t e n i n a s i n g l e a u t h o r i t a t i v e d o c u m e n t .
Entrenched - Requires special procedures [supermajorities] to amend.
Enumerated powers - Explicit powers written in the Constitution.
Implied powers - Powers inferred from vague clauses [e.g., Necessary &
Proper Clause].
Fe d e ra l i s m - S o v e r e i g nt y d i v i d e d b e t w e e n f e d e ra l a n d st at e g o v e r n m e nt s .
Separation of powers - Three branches with distinct personnel and
powers.
Checks and balances - Each branch can limit the others.
Limited government - Government restricted by law and constitutional
principles.
Bipartisanship - Cooperation between the two major parties.
Supermajority - Higher threshold than 50%+1 [e.g., 2/3 Congress].
Judicial review - Supreme Court power to interpret constitutionality.
1 . 1 N AT U R E O F T H E U S C O N S T I T U T I O N
2. Entrenched
A. Characteristics of the Constitution Article V requires:
1. Codified: 2/3 Congress to propose
Wr i t t e n i n o n e d o c u m e n t [ 7 , 0 0 0 w o r d s ] . 3/4 states to ratify
C l e a r st r u c t u r e : 7 A r t i c l e s + 27 O n l y 27 a m e n d m e nt s i n 235 + y e a rs .
Amendments.
Creates clarity + judicial enforceability. 4. Sovereignty
Shared between federal + state
3 . Va g u e governments.
Enumerated powers = explicit. Supremacy Clause →
federal law >
Implied powers = derived from vague st at e l aw.
clauses.
Necessary & Proper Clause = “elastic
A O 3 E VA L U AT I O N
clause”.
Strengths:
A O 2 A N A LY S I S Stability over centuries.
Codification creates clarity but limits Prevents rapid populist change.
flexibility. Clear separation of powers limits
Entrenchment protects stability but tyranny.
makes reform extremely difficult. Judicial review protects rights.
Va g u e n e s s a l l o w s a d a p t a t i o n b u t e n a b l e s We a k n e s s e s :
power expansion by branches. Outdated elements [e.g., 2nd
Fe d e ra l i s m b a l a n c e s u n i t y + d i v e rs i t y b ut Amendment].
creates conflict. Amendment process too rigid.
Unequal state influence [Senate].
Courts hold too much interpretive
p o w e r.
TOPIC 1 - THE US CONSTITUTION & FEDERALISM
, A* Politics Paper 3 Memorisation Notes
TOPIC 1 - THE US CONSTITUTION & FEDERALISM
K E Y T E R M I N O LO G Y
Constitution - Rules establishing how a state is governed.
C o d i f i e d - Wr i t t e n i n a s i n g l e a u t h o r i t a t i v e d o c u m e n t .
Entrenched - Requires special procedures [supermajorities] to amend.
Enumerated powers - Explicit powers written in the Constitution.
Implied powers - Powers inferred from vague clauses [e.g., Necessary &
Proper Clause].
Fe d e ra l i s m - S o v e r e i g nt y d i v i d e d b e t w e e n f e d e ra l a n d st at e g o v e r n m e nt s .
Separation of powers - Three branches with distinct personnel and
powers.
Checks and balances - Each branch can limit the others.
Limited government - Government restricted by law and constitutional
principles.
Bipartisanship - Cooperation between the two major parties.
Supermajority - Higher threshold than 50%+1 [e.g., 2/3 Congress].
Judicial review - Supreme Court power to interpret constitutionality.
1 . 1 N AT U R E O F T H E U S C O N S T I T U T I O N
2. Entrenched
A. Characteristics of the Constitution Article V requires:
1. Codified: 2/3 Congress to propose
Wr i t t e n i n o n e d o c u m e n t [ 7 , 0 0 0 w o r d s ] . 3/4 states to ratify
C l e a r st r u c t u r e : 7 A r t i c l e s + 27 O n l y 27 a m e n d m e nt s i n 235 + y e a rs .
Amendments.
Creates clarity + judicial enforceability. 4. Sovereignty
Shared between federal + state
3 . Va g u e governments.
Enumerated powers = explicit. Supremacy Clause →
federal law >
Implied powers = derived from vague st at e l aw.
clauses.
Necessary & Proper Clause = “elastic
A O 3 E VA L U AT I O N
clause”.
Strengths:
A O 2 A N A LY S I S Stability over centuries.
Codification creates clarity but limits Prevents rapid populist change.
flexibility. Clear separation of powers limits
Entrenchment protects stability but tyranny.
makes reform extremely difficult. Judicial review protects rights.
Va g u e n e s s a l l o w s a d a p t a t i o n b u t e n a b l e s We a k n e s s e s :
power expansion by branches. Outdated elements [e.g., 2nd
Fe d e ra l i s m b a l a n c e s u n i t y + d i v e rs i t y b ut Amendment].
creates conflict. Amendment process too rigid.
Unequal state influence [Senate].
Courts hold too much interpretive
p o w e r.
