lOMoARcPSD|13097948
Palmer and Palmer Chapter 1 notes
Legal Foundations, Research and Writing (University of Canterbury)
Studocu is not sponsored or endorsed by any college or university
Downloaded by Emma Grant ()
, lOMoARcPSD|13097948
Laws110 exam notes
A constitution: what is it?
- A constitution is about public power, the power of the state. It describes and establishes the
major institutions of government, states their principle powers and regulates the exercises of
those powers in a broad way. Each constitution is affected by the national character of the
state it services.
Palmer and Palmer Bridled Power: New Zealand’s Constitution and Government (4th ed, OUP,
Melbourne, 2004): chapter 1
A constitution changes over time as it is influenced by the society, culture, economy, and history it
effects.
What is a constitution?
- The system or body of fundamental principles under which a nation is constituted or
governed; it sets up the framework for government itself.
- New Zealand is one of only 22 countries that has been a steady democracy since the 1950s
- The problem of constitutional design in a democracy is to create a set of rules that lead those
exercising the huge power of government not to abuse it.
First-Past-The-Post system (FFP)
- Pre MMP
A single political party held a majority of seats in parliament and “ruled” by controlling the cabinet
and Parliament.
Electorate
Parliament - Problem with this was not a sufficient
separation of powers
Governing Party Opposition Party
Cabinet
Public service
Downloaded by Emma Grant ()
Palmer and Palmer Chapter 1 notes
Legal Foundations, Research and Writing (University of Canterbury)
Studocu is not sponsored or endorsed by any college or university
Downloaded by Emma Grant ()
, lOMoARcPSD|13097948
Laws110 exam notes
A constitution: what is it?
- A constitution is about public power, the power of the state. It describes and establishes the
major institutions of government, states their principle powers and regulates the exercises of
those powers in a broad way. Each constitution is affected by the national character of the
state it services.
Palmer and Palmer Bridled Power: New Zealand’s Constitution and Government (4th ed, OUP,
Melbourne, 2004): chapter 1
A constitution changes over time as it is influenced by the society, culture, economy, and history it
effects.
What is a constitution?
- The system or body of fundamental principles under which a nation is constituted or
governed; it sets up the framework for government itself.
- New Zealand is one of only 22 countries that has been a steady democracy since the 1950s
- The problem of constitutional design in a democracy is to create a set of rules that lead those
exercising the huge power of government not to abuse it.
First-Past-The-Post system (FFP)
- Pre MMP
A single political party held a majority of seats in parliament and “ruled” by controlling the cabinet
and Parliament.
Electorate
Parliament - Problem with this was not a sufficient
separation of powers
Governing Party Opposition Party
Cabinet
Public service
Downloaded by Emma Grant ()
