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The Evolution of a Constitution
By
Elizabeth Wicks
Description
This new work
casts light upon the British constitution of today by means of an
in-depth consideration of eight key moments in British constitutional
history. The historical perspective adopted in this book facilitates
an informed and contextual understanding of the intricacies of the
contemporary British constitution. Indeed the book is based upon the
premise that it is impossible to fully comprehend the nature, content
and implications of today\\\'s constitution without a firm grasp on how
it evolved into its present form. Each of the eight main chapters
focuses upon a different event in constitutional history which has
contributed certain principles or practices to the modern day
constitution, and explains how these principles or practices evolved
and highlights their modern day significance. Historical events
covered include the 1688 Glorious Revolution, the 1707 Union between
England and Scotland, the 1911 Parliament Act and the 1972 European
Communities Act.
Dr Elizabeth Wicks
is a Lecturer in the School of Law at the University of Birmingham.
Contents
1 1688 -
Glorious Revolution : enduring settlement : sovereignty, liberty and
the constitution 11
2 1707 - union
between England and Scotland : unitary state and limited
parliament 31
3 1721 - the
first prime minister? : executive power and its journey from monarch
to prime minister 53
4 1832 - the
Great Reform Act : a first step towards democratic
representation? 65
5 1911 - the
Parliament Act : guaranteeing the legislative superiority of the
House of Commons 83
6 1953 - the
European Convention on Human Rights : an external influence within
the constitution 111
7 1972 - the
European Communities Act : European legal supremacy under the UK
constitution 137
8 1998 - devotion
to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland : decentralising the union
state 167
Conclusion : the
evolving constitution 195
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