Exam-style question
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What is the strongest basis for judging Parliament other branches government — interactions between Parliament and other branches of government? Use the relevant political concepts and evidence from The structure and role of Parliament.
- A.the UK constitution is uncodified and retains parliamentary sovereignty, whereas the US Constitution is codified, federal and based on a formal separation of powers; this matters because different constitutional rules alter institutional checks and accountability.
- B.The UK and USA have identical structures for constitutional arrangements.
- C.Only political culture matters, so institutions can be ignored when comparing constitutional arrangements.
- D.Describe the UK and USA separately without identifying a similarity, difference or consequence.
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- The correct answer is the UK constitution is uncodified and retains parliamentary sovereignty, whereas the US Constitution is codified, federal and based on a formal separation of powers; this matters because different constitutional rules alter institutional checks and accountability.
Explanation
Why this works
the UK constitution is uncodified and retains parliamentary sovereignty, whereas the US Constitution is codified, federal and based on a formal separation of powers; this matters because different constitutional rules alter institutional checks and accountability. This is correct because AO2 requires an explicit institutional comparison and explains that different constitutional rules alter institutional checks and accountability.
Apply parliamentary sovereignty, codification, federalism, separation of powers, checks and balances, conventions and judicial review precisely. the UK constitution is uncodified and retains parliamentary sovereignty, whereas the US Constitution is codified, federal and based on a formal separation of powers.
A structural viewpoint emphasises formal rules; however, a rational or cultural viewpoint may explain how actors use those rules. Overall, judge the evidence from an Act, convention, constitutional provision, ruling or institutional example and explain whether different constitutional rules alter institutional checks and accountability for "Analyse and evaluate interactions between Parliament and other branches of government.".
Common mistake
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