Definition of Rigid Constitution

Constitutions outline the laws of the countries or states they govern. Rigid constitutions are not flexible, and significant majorities of governmental bodies or the populace are required to change them.

Definition

Rigid constitutions are defined as such because at least some part of the constitution cannot be modified by the same procedures used to enact statutory law.

Examples

According to Encyclopedia Britannica, the U.S. Constitution is rigid because an amendment requires super-majorities at both the proposal and ratification stages. The constitutions of Switzerland, Japan, Germany and the Irish Free State are other examples of rigid constitutions.

Benefits

Rigid constitutions help establish controls that ensure the "conformity" of legislation, according to Encyclopedia Britannica.

Misconceptions

Some people mistake "rigid constitution" to mean that the constitution cannot be changed. The U.S. Constitution has been amended 27 times, including the first 10 amendments known as the Bill of Rights.

Antonyms

In contrast to a rigid constitution is the flexible or unwritten constitution. The United Kingdom does not have a written constitution, only a set of documents that make up the laws. Parliament changes the unwritten constitution by passing new Acts of Parliament.

References

• Encyclopedia Britannica
• The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration
• The Online Library of Liberty

Resources

• Adam Mickiewicz University: Constitutions of selected countries