Should the Constitution Be Codified?

There is much debate over whether the UK should retain its uncodified constitution or whether it should be changed to a codified constitution.

Arguments for codified

The arguments for a codified constitution include protecting human rights, checks on government power and that there would be more clarity for citizens.
A codified constitution provides a stronger protection of human rights.
The 1998 Human Rights Act, which adopted the European Convention on Human Rights, is an example of human rights being codified to an extent, however, it still remains weak as parliament can override the act.

For codified: checks & clarity

A written constitution is far more clear than an unwritten constitution. A codified constitution would improve understanding and public awareness of the constitution in the UK.
A codified constitution would ensure that written checks and balances would be in place to limit the power of the executive.
Under a codified constitution, parliament would have clear powers to control the executive.

Arguments for uncodified

The arguments for an uncodified constitution include that it allows for a strong government, it is flexible, a codified constitution could politicise the judiciary and it is not necessary to be changed.
An uncodified constitution allows for a strong government that can carry out actions and deal with issues decisively.
- Written constitutions can limit any effective government action because of the preventions it puts in place.

For uncodified: difficult process

Changing to a written constitution would be a difficult process and is not necessary as it has served without major problems in the UK for many years.
- The UK has many unwritten conventions, such as prerogative powers, which would require writing down into any codified constitution.

Flexible & politicising judiciary

A written constitution could lead to the Supreme Court dealing with disputes over the meaning of the constitution, as is the case in the USA.
- This would mean the court would become involved in political issues despite not being elected.
An uncodified constitution is flexible and can adapt more easily to changes in society than a codified constitution.
- Following the 2010 general election, an uncodified constitution meant it was easy to develop a new set of principles so that a coalition government could be formed.

1Democracy & Participation

1.1Representative & Direct Democracy

1.1.1Direct Democracy

1.1.2Pros & Cons of Direct Democracy

1.1.3Representative Democracy

1.1.4Pros & Cons of Representative Democracy

1.1.5Comparing Types of Democracy

1.1.6Case for Democratic Reform

1.1.7End of Topic Test - Types of Democracy

1.1.8Top Grade AO3/4 - Types of Democracy

1.2Wider Franchise & Suffrage

1.2.1History of the UK Franchise

1.2.2Campaigns for Suffrage

1.2.3End of Topic Test - Franchise & Suffrage

1.3Pressure Groups & Other Influences

1.3.1Types of Pressure Group

1.3.2Functions of Pressure Groups

1.3.3How Pressure Groups Influence

1.3.4Case-Study Examples

1.3.5Other Collective Orgs & Groups

1.3.6End of Topic Test - Pressure Groups & Influences

1.3.7Application Questions - Pressure Groups

1.4Rights in Context

1.4.1Development of Rights in the UK

1.4.2The UK's Rights-Based Culture

1.4.3End of Topic Test - Rights in Context

2Political Parties

2.1How Political Parties Work

2.1.1Functions & Features of UK Political Parties

2.1.2Funding of UK Political Parties

2.1.3UK Funding Reform

2.1.4End of Topic Test - Political Parties

2.1.5Top Grade AO3/4 - Political Parties

2.2Established Political Parties

2.2.1The Conservative Party: History

2.2.2The Conservative Party: Recent Leaders

2.2.3The Labour Party

2.2.4The Liberal Democrat Party

2.2.5Ideas & Policies of UK Parties

2.2.6End of Topic Test - Established Parties

2.2.7Application Questions - Established Parties

2.3Emerging & Minor Political Parties

2.3.1Minority Parties

2.3.2Minority Parties Case Studies

2.3.3End of Topic Test - Minor Parties

2.4UK Political Parties in Context

2.4.1Different Party Systems

2.4.2Political Spectrum

2.4.3Factors Affecting Party Success

2.4.4End of Topic Test - Parties in Context

2.4.5Application Questions - Parties in Context

3Electoral Systems

3.1Different Electoral Systems

3.1.1FPTP & STV

3.1.2AMS & SV

3.1.3End of Topic Test - Electoral Systems

3.1.4Top Grade AO3/4 - Electoral Systems

3.2Referendums & How They Are Used

3.2.1Case For & Against Referendums

3.2.2End of Topic Test - Referendums

3.2.3A-A* (AO3/4) - Referendums

3.3Electoral System Analysis

3.3.1Electoral System Analysis

3.3.2End of Topic Test - System Analysis

3.3.3A-A* (AO3/4) - Electoral System Analysis

4Voting Behaviour & the Media

4.1General Election Case Studies

4.1.1Case Studies of Elections

4.1.2Factors Influencing Voting in Elections

4.1.3End of Topic Test - Case Studies & Factors

4.1.4A-A* (AO3/4) - Case Studies & Voting

4.2Media Influence

4.2.1Media Influence

4.2.2End of Topic Test - Media Influence

5Conservatism

5.1Conservatism: Core Ideas & Principles

5.1.1Pragmatism & Tradition

5.1.2Human Imperfection & Organic Society/State

5.1.3Authority & Hierarchy

5.1.4Paternalism

5.1.5Empiricism

5.1.6Anti-Permissiveness

5.1.7Radical Conservative Ideas

5.1.8End of Topic Test - Core Conservatism

5.2Conservatism: Differing Views & Tensions

5.2.1Traditional Conservatism

5.2.2One-Nation Conservatism

5.2.3New Right Conservatism

5.2.4End of Topic Test - Different Views

5.3Conservative Thinkers & Ideas

5.3.1Thomas Hobbes & Edmund Burke

5.3.2Michael Oakeshott & Ayn Rand

5.3.3Robert Nozick

5.3.4End of Topic Test - Conservative Thinkers

5.3.5A-A* (AO3/4) - Conservatism

6Liberalism

6.1Liberalism: Core Ideas & Principles

6.1.1Individualism & Freedom/Liberty

6.1.2The State & Rationalism

6.1.3Equality & Social Justice

6.1.4Liberal Democracy

6.1.5Other Important Liberal Ideas

6.1.6End of Topic Test - Liberalism

6.2Differing Views And Tensions Within Liberalism

6.2.1Classical Liberalism

6.2.2Modern Liberalism

6.2.3End of Topic Test - Tensions & Views

6.3Liberal Thinkers & Ideas

6.3.1John Locke & Mary Wollstonecraft

6.3.2John Stuart Mill & John Rawls

6.3.3Betty Friedan

6.3.4End of Topic Test - Thinkers & Ideas

6.3.5A-A* - Liberalism

7Socialism

7.1Socialism: Core Ideas & Principles

7.1.1Fraternity & Co-operation

7.1.2Capitalism & Common Ownership

7.1.3Communism

7.1.4Collectivism

7.1.5Common Humanity

7.1.6Equality

7.1.7Social Class & Workers' Control

7.1.8End of Topic Test - Socialism

7.2Differing Views And Tensions Within Socialism

7.2.1Differing Views And Tensions

7.2.2End of Topic Test - Views & Tensions

7.3Socialist Thinkers and Their Ideas

7.3.1Socialist Thinkers: Marx & Engels

7.3.2Socialist Thinkers: Webb & Luxemburg

7.3.3Socialist Thinkers: Crosland and Giddens

7.3.4End of Topic Test - Thinkers & Ideas

7.3.5A-A* (AO3/4) - Socialism

8The UK Constitution

8.1Nature & Sources of UK Constitution

8.1.1Development of the UK Constitution

8.1.2Nature of the UK Constitution

8.1.3Sources of the UK Constitution

8.1.4End of Topic Test - Nature & Sources

8.2Constitutional Change since 1997

8.2.1Constitutional Reform 1997-2010 1

8.2.2Constitutional Reform 1997-2010 2

8.2.3Constitutional Reform 2010-15 & Reforms Since 2015

8.2.4End of Topic Test - Reform

8.2.5Application Questions - Reform

8.3Role & Powers of Devolved UK Bodies

8.3.1Devolution in England & Scotland