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US constitution (Consequences of federalism (Legal consequences - there is…
US constitution
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Amendments
The amendment process
The founding fathers wanted to make it a difficult process, with 2 stages requiring super majorities. The process is outlined in article 5.
there are 2 amendment processes that have actually been used before. an amendment can be proposed by 2 thirds of the house and senate and then it can be ratified by 3/4 of the state legislatures or there can be ratifying conventions in 3 quarters of the states.
Other than this the amendments can be proposed by 2/3rds of state legislatures calling for a national constitutional convention (but this has never been done)
Because of this only 27 amendments have been passed (including the bill of rights which shouldn't really count) since 1789 despite hundreds of proposed amendments. (not proposed officially but just proposed to be proposed by a person)
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Disadvantages
it makes it too difficult to amend the constitution, this means that there are loads of outdated provisions
it makes it possible for tyranny of the minority preventing the will of the majority from being imposed.
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it enhances the power of the supreme court, who are un-elected.
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Constitutional rights
These are fundamental rights guaranteed by the constitution, including freedom of speech and religion, and freedom from arbitrary arrest.
simply saying that something is a right however doesn't make it so, it is the responsibility of the government to ensure that each person has their rights.
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