Constitutional lawLesson 4 of 4 in the course Constitutions and constitutionalism

Comparative Constitutional Amendment Procedures and Entrenched Limits

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

Save course
Lesson progress
0 / 5

Your progress is kept in this browser only.Sign up to save it

Summary

A constitutional amendment is a modification to the constitution of a country, organization, or other entity. It may change the rules that establish government, distribute authority, or protect rights.

Either form can change how the constitution operates. An amendment may therefore change the frame of government even when the original text remains untouched.

All flashcards

What is a constitutional amendment?
A formal modification to the constitution of a country, organization, or other entity.
What is a textual revision?
A form of amendment that changes the existing constitutional text by deleting, replacing, or inserting provisions.
What is an appended addition?
A separate amendment added to the end of the constitution, leaving the original text intact.
What is a referendum?
A direct vote in which the electorate decides whether to approve a proposal, such as a constitutional amendment.
What is a double majority?
A rule requiring two kinds of majority support; in Australia, a national voter majority and a majority of voters in a majority of states.

Quiz questions

  1. Why do many constitutions require a special amendment procedure?Answer: To seek broad, durable support beyond a temporary legislative majority.
  2. What must voters approve for an Australian constitutional amendment to pass a referendum?Answer: A national majority and a majority in a majority of states.
  3. Under Brazil's constitutional amendment procedure, what approval is required in Congress?Answer: Three-fifths support in each chamber in two rounds.
  4. What does India's basic-structure doctrine limit?Answer: Parliament's power to amend the Constitution.
  5. How may constitutional matters generally be changed in the United Kingdom?Answer: By Parliament through ordinary legislation and a simple majority.

Based on the Wikipedia article Constitutional amendment, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

More in Constitutional law

All Constitutional law lessons
Constitutional lawInstitutions, Courts, and Executive Action in Civil Rights Change5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 4 gamesPlay free →Constitutional lawEnvironmental Rights, Climate Displacement, and Judicial Accountability5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 4 gamesPlay free →Constitutional lawConstitutional Law: Forms, Government Design, Rights, and Enforcement5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 4 gamesPlay free →Constitutional lawJudicial Disputes, Enforcement, and the Wider Influence of Court Decisions5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 4 gamesPlay free →Constitutional lawRule of Law: Theories, Institutions, and Comparative Practice5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 4 gamesPlay free →Constitutional lawThe Judiciary: Rule of Law, Court Authority, and Judge Selection5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 4 gamesPlay free →