Question

Difficulty: MediumTypes and Classification of Constitutions

A sovereign state operates under a fully written and codified constitutional document. However, its national legislature can amend any section of this legal document by passing a regular bill with a simple majority vote. Based on constitutional classification rules, how is this constitution classified?

  1. Flexible constitutionAnswer
  2. B
    Rigid constitution
  3. C
    Unwritten constitution
  4. D
    Confederal constitution

Answer

The constitution is classified as a flexible constitution because it can be amended using the ordinary statutory law-making process with a simple majority vote.
Constitutional flexibility is determined strictly by the amendment process. When a constitution can be amended through the standard legislative procedure with a simple majority, it is classified as flexible, even if it is codified into a single written text.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the primary constitutional classification criteria described in the stem.
The stem describes a constitution that is codified (written) but can be altered via standard legislative procedures (simple majority).
Constitutions are classified by form (written vs. unwritten) and by amendment method (rigid vs. flexible).
2
Distinguish between document form and amendment difficulty.
A constitution's flexibility is determined by how easily it can be altered, regardless of whether it exists in a single written document.
Although written constitutions are commonly rigid, a written constitution whose amendment process requires only an ordinary act of parliament is flexible.

Key Concept

Classification of Constitutions by Amendment Process vs. Form
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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