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Question

Difficulty: EasyTypes and Classification of Constitutions

Which of the following primary criteria determines whether a constitution is classified as rigid or flexible?

  1. A
    Whether the constitutional provisions are embodied in a single written document
  2. The degree of difficulty and special procedure required to amend its provisionsAnswer
  3. C
    The constitutional division of legislative powers between federal and state levels of government
  4. D
    Whether executive authority is vested in a president or a prime minister

Answer

The degree of difficulty and special procedure required to amend its provisions.
Constitutions are classified as rigid or flexible based on the ease or difficulty of their amendment process. A rigid constitution requires complex, special procedures—such as a two-thirds majority in the legislature, state ratification, or a popular referendum—whereas a flexible constitution can be modified using the same simple majority process as standard statutes.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the core basis of classifying constitutions into rigid or flexible categories.
The classification depends strictly on the legal mechanism and complexity involved in altering constitutional laws.
Rigid constitutions require special, stringent amendment procedures (such as a two-thirds legislative majority or referendum), whereas flexible constitutions can be altered through ordinary law-making procedures.
2
Evaluate the distractors against the target definition.
Codification defines written vs unwritten constitutions, power division defines federal vs unitary systems, and executive arrangement defines presidential vs parliamentary systems.
Differentiating these categories prevents common conceptual overlap in political science.

Key Concept

Classification of Constitutions by Amendment Procedure
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Types and Classification of Constitutions