Résumés The Oxford Handbook of Comparative Constitutional Law (1er édition)

- what is a constitution? - structure of commonwealth constitutions - westminster model - independence - elements of constitutional supremacy (supreme law clause, limits on parliamentary sovereignty, judicial review and redress clause, entrenchment and constitutional amendments) - savings law clauses

In lecture 3, we can see the theory of democratic constitutionalism in practice, in one of the most unique democracies in the world: France (with a semi-Presidential-Parliamentarian model). But France hasn't always been this way (had 18 constitutions!), and it's important to consider its history when analyzing its modern political landscape.

A look into the theory and definition of democracy amidst its various forms: representative, direct, and deliberative, and the subdivisions that follow.

In lecture 2, we discuss various viewpoints of the key democratic principle of separation of powers (according to Montesquieu, no separation of powers is equal to an authoritarian regime!).

- functions and powers of parliament (law-making, control of executive, etc) - structure of parliament - senates (role, security of tenure, efficacy, senate reform) & relevant cases - parliamentary privileges (what they are, their necessity, their relation to separation of powers and constitutional supremacy)

- meaning of judicial independence - elements of judicial independence (appointment, security of tenure, length of tenure, procedure for removal, security of magistrates, financial security, jurisdiction, etc) and relevant cases

- meaning of separation of powers - separation of powers in the caribbean - separation of powers or distribution of powers? - the judiciary - parliament/the legislation - the executive - the sentencing function - separation of powers and power to grant bail - ad hominem principle & relevant cases