Topic:

What is Constitution,

Differences and Similarities Between

British and French Constitutions

British French

Presenters:

Sajid Abbas

Nadia Abrar

Umm e Farwa

The collection of rules which establish and regulate or

govern the government is known as Constitution.

Constitution are in two forms.

Written form

Unwritten form

In almost all countries in the world there has been some event

that has caused that country to make a fresh start . . .

Constitution shows the nature of the state. For example, it

shows who are to be active in the government of the State

such as the head of state, executives, legislatures or the courts

may be elected or appointed. Whether elections are held at all

or there will be selection procedure, who can be elected and

who can vote are all likely to form part of the constitution.

Constitutions are made to run the country in the right

directions and everyone is bound to act upon them, no

one is allowed to violate the rules and regulations of the

constitution, no one is allowed to challenge the writ of

government in any case (Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti case).

Musharaf said we will not spare anybody violating the

constitution and he did what should be done.

Nadia Abrar

Differences Between the Britain and French

Constitution

Origin of Constitution:

The British Constitution comes from a variety of resources,

such as Magna Carta of 1215 and Act of Settlement 1701.

Charles de Gaulle was the main driving force in

introducing the new constitution and inaugurating the

Fifth Republic.

Amendment in Constitution:

The constitution is amended in Britain by ordinary procedure.

The French parliament requires two third majority for the

amendment in constitution.

Real Ruler:

The cabinet is the real ruler of Britain and the Prime Minister is a

key man in it and he is appointed by the crown.

The head of the government is the Prime Minister who is

nominated by the majority party in the National Assembly and

appointed by the President.

Appointment of Members:

The members of the house of lords in Britain are appointed by the

Queen.

Members of the senate in French are indirectly elected by an

electoral system.

Base of Constitution:

The British Constitution is mostly in the form of statutes, court

judgments and treaties.

French constitution is typically called the constitution of the fifth

republic.

Political Parties/Pressure Groups:

There are two parties in the Britain (Labour & Conservative).

There are many political parties and pressure groups in

France.

Form of Constitution:

British constitution in unwritten form and French

constitution is properly in written form.

Umm e Farwa

Similarities Between the Britain and French

Constitution

No. of Houses:

Britain consists of two houses, i-e house of commons and house of lords.

France also consists of two houses, i-e Council of the Republic and senate

Rule of Law:

Rule of law is that none of the person is above the law in Britain.

Rule of law is that all the citizens are equal in the eye of law in France.

Judiciary:

In Britain Judiciary is independent and justice is for every one.

Every one has a right to get justice in France.

Duration of Elections

General elections are held after every five years in British.

In France the members of national assembly serve for five years too.

Appointment of Federal Ministers:

In British the prime minister chooses the federal ministers.

The federal ministers are appointed by the President himself in France.

Supremacy:

The parliament is supreme and sovereign in both countries.

Bicameral System:

The England’s constitution is a Bicameral

constitution. All the powers of the state are not

concentrated in the hands of a single government

for the whole country.

The French has also bicameral system and all the

power is not in the hands of a single person.