The constitution is fundamental principles or precedents which have entity or polity and determine the governance. It contains several organization levels including sovereign countries, companies as well as an incorporated association. There are two types of constitution namely written and codified constitution. Written entails principles that are written in single documents. On the flipside, codified are written in a single comprehensive document. Here are the pros and cons of the constitution.
Pros
1. Act as a model: Constitution influences other countries that want to be independent. Also, it shares principles on the rule of law; recognizes individual rights, and how powers are separated.
2. Protects bill of rights: Bill of rights is the first 10 amendments. Constitution has the right to safeguard individual liberty. The rights are significant to a country in case the government is corrupted. It protects sexuality, religion, race, and false accusations. Founders had to come up with the ability of individuals to worship and speak freely. Through the constitution, congress cannot establish laws that abridge freedom.
3. Add amendments: Constitution gives room for modification of entity, organization, and polity. Amendments are put into relevant parts of the current constitution. Further, they can be added as supplements to an existing document without altering. Most amendments have to pass through special procedures. This includes approval in the referendum and supermajorities.
4. Allows charging of taxes: Constitution allows the state to charge taxes. Moreover, it puts 4 limits on the power to tax. For instance, congress tax for public services is not benefiting privately. Indirect taxes should be put in uniform in all parts of the nation. Direct taxes should be apportioned in the country.
5. Share power: Shared powers are called concurrent powers. It is divided between state and federal governments. For example, legislative make laws, the president who belongs in an executive can veto laws through a presidential veto. On the contrary, the judiciary declares laws as unconstitutional. The executive prosecutes criminal offenses but the trials are done in court. President appoints judges and they are confirmed in the senate.
6. Provides basic government structures: The constitution has 3 main functions. It is divided into legislative, executive, and judicial. Constitution offers a checks and balances system that is made to prevent tyranny.
7. Reduce government powers: Constitution limits the state’s power. Congress has the power to regulate commerce. Therefore, the government cannot tax or regulate commerce. Moreover, states are not allowed to discriminate against citizens of other states.
8. Bold document: Constitution has stayed for more than 200 years. It only needs an amendment to an existing document. Further, the document is flexible and stable to remain efficient in the world.
Cons
1. Difficulty in passing new amendments: It is not easy to pass new amendments. The process has a special procedure that must succeed for the document to be amended.
2. Mis-interpretation: The document is made by people and man can make errors. Some portions are vague hence giving room for misinterpretation.
3. Few representatives: It has few representatives who are meant to stand for people. It calls for even 65, a limited number that cannot blend with individuals. These people can be appointed quickly from a crowd.
4. Leaves women out Most constitution has left out women and put men on the front line. Another example is racism that has reached its core in the United States; African Americans have been left out.
