Renaissance and how this Era influence fashion trends and designers Essay

Renaissance and how this Era influence fashion trends and designers now days - Essay Example zed clothing became more popular as sewing and stitching technologies became widespread and the world moved into the era of industrialization (Breward). It was then precisely that the fashion industry was born; henceforth the concept of fashion came into existence. Renaissance is one of the hallmarks of fashion and cultural movements spanning from 14th to the 17th century (Zirpolo). It encompassed not just art and fashion but also influenced science, literature, politics as well as many other aspects of human life having a profound impact on the way of life (Zirpolo). It is no surprise, therefore, that designers also fell prey to the fashion marked by this movement which are followed to date. Works from famous fashion designers from Italy and Germany, including Rene Ward, Andrew Mc Clellan and John Sir Michael Struck were the hallmarks of the Renaissance movement. The fashion trends that emerged in this era were diverse, ranging from flares and broad barrel-shaped attire to narrower, slimmer gowns. Perhaps majority of the trends that emerged from the Renaissance era bear resemblance to contemporary fashion. Garments were considered a symbol of wealth for the nobles and riches as is the case today; although it was more so back then in the Renaissance era. Garments were viewed as adornments of wealth, creating stark divisions between the rich (nobles) and the poor. This continues to be a trend to date. Dark colors in particular were preferred in an attempt to showcase ornaments, jewelry and other accessories (Moose). The more articulate the tailoring (with cuts and flairs) the higher the prestige of its owner and the more highly exquisite the clothing was considered. (Breward). The riches did not compromise on clothing even during tough times, as is the case today. Clothing is still seen as crucial to the portrayal of prosperity and wealth (Mack). This is evident to date in, for instance, Great Britain where the Royal Family continues to extravagantly

Dances of the renaissance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Dances of the renaissance - Essay Example The dance music of the Renaissance was written for instruments such as the sackbut, lute, viol, pipe and the tabor. Some of the most popular ones are discussed below. An allemande literally means ‘German’ and it was one of the most popular instrumental dance forms in Baroque music, and a standard element of a suite. The allemande originated in the Renaissance period as a duple meter dance of moderate tempo, derived from dances supposed to be favored in Germany at the time and was performed in 4/4 time. Originally, the allemande formed the first movement of the suite, before the courante. The basse danse literally means ‘low dance’ and it was the most popular court dance in the fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries. Basse danse music is always in 6/4 and in performance, 3 or 4 instrumentalists would improvise the polyphony based on this tenor. Basse danse is slow and processional, and is played with a constant speed throughout. It begins with a reverence and so there is usually no need to play any introductory bars before beginning the music, although a drumbeat or two may help. The basse danse later led to the development of the pavane. A branle is a 16th century French dance style which moves mainly from side to side, and is performed by couples in either a line or a circle and was mainly performed by commoners. Branle music is often in 4/4, although can be found in 2/4 and even with variations in timing between the bars. Branles don’t start with a reverence, and so a few introductory bars of music are usually required to get the dancers moving. According to Arbeau, every ball began with the same four branles. The Double Branle has a simple form involving two phrases of two bars each. The Single Branle, however, consists of a phrase of two bars, followed by a phrase of one bar and appears in numerous places. Likewise the Gay Branle consists of two

Discussion Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 32

Discussion - Coursework Example Staffing is a major factor hindering the research utilization and evidence-based practice in my workplace. It is very difficult for an individual to implement EBP on their own rather there is need of teamwork and consultations. With the limited number of staff, it, therefore, makes the process difficult, as there is limited time and an increased workload for research and EBP utilization. Another factor that hinders the adoption of research utilization and evidence-based practice is the unavailability of the necessary resources and support at the workplace. Moreover, there is a poor culture and leadership in EBP adoption making the process quite challenging to achieve. In attainment of the appropriate culture, it is crucial for the organization to hire professionals who support and demonstrate commitment to the process, as health care practitioners who have a commitment to research and EBP utilization are able to achieve excellent patients care (MacDougall & Riley, 2010). It is also e ssential for the organization to recognize individuals participating in research and EBP to provide a clear message on the importance of the practice in the workplace. Brazil, K., Royle, J. A., Montemuro, M., Blythe, J., & Church, A. (2004). Moving to evidence-based practice in long-term care: the role of a Best Practise Resource Centre in two long-term care settings. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 30, 14–19. MacDougall, M., & Riley, S. C. (2010). Initiating undergraduate medical students into communities of research practise: what do supervisors recommend? BMC Medical Education, 10, 83.

Molecular Biology of Sickle Cell Anemia Term Paper

Molecular Biology of Sickle Cell Anemia - Term Paper Example This reduces the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood and causes the jamming of blood vessels. One of the characteristic symptoms of sickle cell anemia is pain. Sickle cell anemia is found mainly in people belonging to malaria endemic regions for e.g. Africa. A definitive cure for this debilitating illness is yet to be found and so the treatment given to the patients is still largely symptomatic and supportive. (Taylor et al. 1997 pp.859) (Abnormal phospholipid molecular species of erythrocytes in sickle cell anemia, Connor et al. 1997) Hemoglobin: Structure The structure of the hemoglobin molecule was deciphered by scientists, Kendrew and Perutz using X-ray crystallography in 1959. Hemoglobin is an oxygen-carrying chromoprotein. It is found in red blood cells of vertebrates. 1 red blood cell contains approximately 600 million hemoglobin molecules. It consists of 4 Heme molecules which are attached to 4 polypeptide or globin chains. Heme is a cyclic tetrapyrrole i.e. it consists of 4 molecules of pyrrole. It imparts a red color due to the methyl, vinyl and proprionate groups attached to it. Each heme group also contains one ferrous ion (prosthetic group)present in the porphyrin ring which is present in the center of the heme. The 4 globin chains that make up a hemoglobin molecule are known as ?and ? chains. The two ?chains each contain 141 amino acids, while the two ?chains contain 146 amino acids. These chains are derived mainly from chromosome 16 and 11. Hemoglobin is a globular protein and the 4 protein chains are held together in what is known as a quaternary structure. The hydrophobic parts of the chains point inwards towards the molecule, whereas the hydrophilic parts point outwards. This makes the molecule soluble in water. (Taylor et al. 1997 pp103, 859) (Interactive-Biology 2012) (The Molecular Biology of Sickle Cell Anemia, 2003)(Hemoglobin: Molecular modeling, 2011) Hemoglobin: Function The hemoglobin molecule is responsible for the transport of oxy gen from the lungs to the cells of the body. Each oxygen molecule is attached to the ferrous ion in each heme group. Thus, one hemoglobin molecule is capable of carrying 8 oxygen atoms at a time. It also carries the carbon dioxide molecules back to the lungs for excretion. Carbon dioxide is carried in three forms: in solution, as carbamino-hemoglobin and as bicarbonate ions.(Taylor et al. 1997 pp.479, 481) The hemoglobin molecule shows cooperative binding kinetics, i.e. when one oxygen molecules has been attached, the binding of the rest of the oxygen molecules becomes easier. The oxygen-dissociation curve is sigmoid. It shows that at low partial pressures of oxygen, the hemoglobin molecule readily gives up oxygen, which is then used up by the tissues. Increased concentrations of carbon dioxide also cause the release of oxygen from the molecule. Under these conditions the curve shifts to the right. This is known as the Bohr Effect. (Taylor et al. 1997 pp.479-480) Hemoglobin: Synthes is Hemoglobin synthesis starts to occur in the proerythroblast stage of the RBC cycle. The molecule is produced by mitochondria and ribosomes in a series of reactions. Heme is synthesized in the mitochondria. Glycine &succinyl-CoA condense to form  ?-aminolevulinic acid  (ALA). This reaction occurs in the presence of ALA-synthase. ALA exits the

Summary Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 2

Summary - Essay Example Researchers are also developing a washing machine that is connected to the internet to reduce dependency on energy and increase efficiency. This article explains the development of Chain Home, the first radar defence system ever created in the world. Robert Watson-Watt, a Scottish physicist, led the team that manufactured the Chain Home. The new BBC film ‘Castles in the Sky’ elaborates the drama that accompanied the manufacturing of this defence system. Scientific drama entailed manufacturing a fully functioning system at the least cost and in the shortest time while political drama entailed the dilemma of appeasement or re-armament policies. The film also shows the secrecy and the enormous costs that accompanied the development of the system. The radar system was important in Britain’s quest to keep Luftwaffe at check but its development continues to date. Clark and Johnston emphasize on the importance of a disposable society. A disposable society is a society that uses disposable items that can decompose. Clark and Johnston discourage the use of plastic bags citing their negative environmental effect. This article encourages the use of disposable items instead of plastic materials. Disposable materials are cost-effective to manufacture especially when recycled and environmentally friendly. In addition, this article supports the use of sustainable building materials. It examines the benefits of using grown materials over using artificial materials. The Firth of Forth, the Pont de Normandie and the Angel of the North are among the most iconic structures in the world because of their unique design. These structures embody creativity and innovation. The Forth Bridge took six years to build from 1882 to 1889. It contains a cantilever design balanced on its three towers. These towers support and hold the trains and link bridge between the two main sections. The Forth Bridge is the second largest

Tourism in the peak district national park Essay Example for Free

Tourism in the peak district national park Essay Tourism in the peak district national park- case study, MEDC The peak district national park introduction The peak district is in the north of England and is the oldest national park in Britain. The park has two main areas;   The white peak, mostly in the south is a large plateau of carboniferous lime stone To the west and north lie the dark peaks, a highland area which is more than 609m above sea level, covered by a layer of sand stone In 1951, the Peak District National Park became the first National Park in Britain. It covers 1438 square kilometres (555 square miles) of beautiful countryside from high (636m) windblown moorlands in the north to green farmland and tranquil dales in the south. The diversity of habitats and wealth of wildlife they support make the region of international importance What are the attractions of the national park?   Honey- pot sites like certain villages   The scenery is of outstanding beauty   Boating, fishing and water sports   Cycling, riding. Hang gliding and four-wheel motoring   Sense of remoteness, quite enjoyment of nature Unique biodiversity   Distinctive character of buildings and settlements. Historic buildings, gardens and parks   Easy accessibility from surrounding areas, close to major cities   The Peak District is valued for its cultural heritage including stone circles, ancient hill forts, medieval castles, mills, lead mines and miles of drystone walls. Who visits the national park? The Peak District National Park is surrounded by many large cities (see map above) and is easily accessible to the 15. 7 million people that living within 60 miles of the boundary. Most visitors come from Derbyshire (14%), South Yorkshire (13%), Cheshire (12%) and the other Counties that are partly within the National Park.  22million people visit the national park each year and most of these are day tourists.   International   National   Day trippers What is the national parks policy on tourism?   to conserve and enhance their natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage   to promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of their special qualities. With regard to tourism and recreation, the Authority has recognised there is a need to:   provide for those seeking quiet enjoyment of the National Park through promoting quiet active recreation, such as walking, cycling etc. Achieve a more even spread of visits over the year the tourism market is very seasonal and many places are overcrowded in the summer and very quiet in winter.   increase the number of staying visitors (who stay one or more nights) as they spend more money and so help support the many small businesses that depend on tourism.   reduce the number of visits made by car in all parts of the National Park, efforts are being made to encourage greater use of public transport with extra bus services and special routes serving popular honeypot areas. Promote understanding of the special qualities of the Peak District to visitors.   maximise local social and economic benefits. The parks sustainable tourism strategy is; 1. to increase visitor spend and maximise the local benefits of that spend 2. to encourage visitors to stay longer 3. to encourage visits throughout the year 4. to attract new visitors (with potential spending power) where appropriate 5. to reduce dependency on the car when visiting the area 6. to deliver for local people and not just visitors 7. to conserve the landscape, including the towns and villages, and their special qualities 8. To enhance visitor enjoyment and understanding of the market towns and rural areas 9. to ensure that the traditional enjoyment of the Peak District will be more accessible to a wider range of people 10. to encourage best use of existing resources Benefits of tourism More tourist related jobs and contribution to the economy   Increased income   Increased local services   Encouragement to preserve historic buildings and sites Continuation of traditional crafts   Tourists come to local charity events and spend money Problems with tourism   Footpath erosion. Many valuable eco-systems like water meadows and moorland areas have been harmed   Archaeological features lost due to changes in farming conditions i. e. farmers introducing drainage systems.   Increased numbers of people arriving by car. 90% of the 20million people living within an hours drive come by car   Road traffic within the park has grown by over 60%   Tourists leaving gates open and farm animals escaping   Higher pollution, congestion and parking difficulties   Tourists less considerate and drop litter Services are put in place for them like cafes and restaurants which ruin the scenery Inconsiderate parking   Local birds living on moorland areas are driven out of their homes   Livestock can be killed by dogs not kept on leads How can tourism be managed? Active recreation;   A cycle hire scheme and special routes along disused railway lines or traffic free roads has been provided at 4 centres (Parsley Hay, Upper Derwent, Ashbourne and Waterhouses) with around 55,000 hirings per year.   There are 55 reservoirs of over 2 hectares in area in the National Park. Fishing is allowed on twelve of these and sailing on five of them. There is a gliding centre at Great Hucklow, and several sites for hang gliding eg. at Mam Tor and Stanage. There are 14 stables with horses for hire in and around the Peak District. Providing accommodation;   65% of visits to the Peak District National Park are day visits, the remainder being visits by people staying on holiday (4. 8 nights on average).   A range of accommodation is provided for staying visitors: camping and caravan sites (114 authorised sites with authorisation for 4,646 caravans and 891 tents), 13 camping barns, 13 Youth Hostels and Bed Breakfast in a large number of private houses, pubs or hotels. The 1998 Visitor Survey showed that staying visitors spend on average i 21-26/day compared with day visitors who spend an average of i 7. 30/day in the Park Traffic control;   The South Pennines Integrated Transport Strategy (SPITS) has been devised by the Peak District National Park Transport Forum to control visitor traffic over the next 20 years.   The Hope Valley Community Rail Partnership aims to encourage the use of buses and trains within this popular valley. Work includes publicity and marketing, enhanced service levels, special events, walks and local arts promotions Footpath management;   The Pennine Way, the most popular long distance path and with the greatest erosion problems, has been paved for most of its length within the Park. This has prevented further erosion and has led to the re-vegetation of previously eroded peat.   Dovedale is a honeypot area where the footpath through the dale can be used by up to 1,000 people an hour. A better path has been constructed to cope with this heavy pressure. A Local Countryside Access Forum has been set up to explore how the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 can be implemented in the Peak District with the potential to open up a further 18000ha of land for public use. Ranger services; The Peak District National Park Authority Ranger Service provides information and advice to visitors and local communities and resolves immediate problems created by visitor pressure. The Rangers carry out practical countryside work and provide rescue services. Conservation Volunteers help with wildlife conservation and practical maintenance.

Should Constitutions be Written?

Should Constitutions be Written? Constitutions should be written. Discuss. Choose one country with a case law system and one with a civil law system and discuss the advantages of each. ANSWER 1. Introduction A constitution can be defined as a system or framework which enshrines the principles and rules by which a body is governed. In the context of states the term makes reference specifically to the national constitution of the state, which serves to define the fundamental political principles, the legal environment and modus operandi of the state and which establishes the duties and powers of the government of the state.[1] National constitutions can be classified as either codified or uncodified. Codified constitutions are those which are contained in a single document, containing the single source of the constitutional law of a state, and perhaps the most well known example is the Constitution of the United States.[2] Uncodified constitutions are those which are not contained in a single document, but consist instead of several different sources, which can be written or unwritten.. It should be noted that there are hybrid systems which seem to fall between the two classes such as the Australian Constitution[3], in which constitutional law largely derives from a single written document, but other written documents are also considered part of the constitution[4]. Probably the best example of a pure uncodified constitution is the constitution of the United Kingdom which does not rely on any single written fundamental document, but rather consists of a patchwork of written and unwritten sources. The term written constitution makes reference to a constitution which is entirely written and by definition this would include every codified constitution. Indeed, in academic writing the term written constitution is synonymous with codified constitution, and in similar fashion the term unwritten constitution is interchangeable with uncodified constitution (although as stated this is not always entirely accurate: see Australian constitution). In the modern world, codification is the norm. Most states have evolved written constitutions which stand as the supreme and overarching statements of national law. Unwritten constitutions are certainly in the minority, but it is submitted at the outset that this should not be taken as proof that a written constitution is a prerequisite to success or stability. 2. A Common Law System: England The United Kingdom is notable in that it operates under an unwritten constitution, although this term has been criticised by commentators such as Bogdanor as a â€Å"misleading platitude†[5]. In this paper we will confine ourselves to an examination of the legal system of England and Wales, within the United Kingdom, because the Scottish legal system derives from Roman Law a very different legal heritage and tradition.[6] The modern English system of law can be traced back to the Norman conquest of 1066. The Norman kings, while promising to respect local rights and customs, dispatched judges to travel around the country on circuits and these judges gradually began following each other’s decisions to preserve the consistency of the application of law in different parts of the country. This practice became formalised and is today known as the doctrine of judicial precedent. This doctrine was extremely successful in underpinning the English common law system (ie a law common to all parts of the kingdom). One advantage of this uncodified model is that it is free to grow and develop organically to suit the changing environment it must regulate something which is more difficult when one is bound by a rigid set of general principles such as that which would underpin a fully written system. As the Parliament at Westminster fully established itself and grew in power and authority over the Monarch it took its place alongside the common law. Together, the common law and Parliamentary legislation came to offer a coherent and comprehensive system of law, which has matured and refined itself over centuries of stable government. It can be argued that an unwritten system puts its faith in untrammelled democratic process and in those charged with its maintenance. There are, it is submitted, obvious risks attached to this strategy, but in simple terms England has never found the need to adopt an overlaying written constitution, because of the strength and scope of its existing system. However, this is not to say that the English ‘constitution’ is entirely unwritten. Aspects of constitutional-style law are evident in venerable statutes such as the 1215 Magna Carta,[7] the 1689 Bill of Rights[8], the 1701 Act of Settlement[9] and the 1911 and 1949 Parliament Acts.[10] More recently the United Kingdom has adopted quasi-constitutional law in piecemeal fashion by means of the European Communities Act 1972, which provides the legal framework necessary for the country’s membership of the European Union, and the Human Rights Act 1998, which imports the rights and freedoms enshrined in the European Convention of Human Rights into UK law, conferring those rights on citizens of the United Kingdom. This means that the English system achieves an effect equivalent to that which is delivered by a written constitution without the formality of the latter model and therefore some of the advantages of written systems are to some extent rendered nugatory. That sai d, the principle that stands at the very heart of the English legal system and overrides all other provisions and considerations cannot be found set out in any of these documents. The highest rule of UK law, which has the potential to override any principle of a constitutional or quasi-constitutional nature, is the Doctrine of Parliamentary Sovereignty. This unwritten rule declares that the Parliament of the United Kingdom enjoys full and unchallengeable sovereignty in all its actions. In practice, this means that the Parliament of the day (namely the House of Lords the House of Commons, and the Monarch acting together)[11] has supreme authority over all aspects of English governance and all other institutions of the state, including the courts and other executive bodies. This ensures that the situation in England differs with that which prevails in many states operating under codified or written constitutions, where supreme courts are often empowered to strike down legislation deemed to be unconstitutional in nature.[12] The Constitution of the United States’ is one example of such a system and the so-called â€Å"checks and balances† it employs to safeguard the integrity of the constitution and the governance of the state are much cherished.. In the English system, given that Parliamentary supremacy is unquestioned, although complex procedures for judicial review are in place, by which courts can review and challenge laws considered defective in some way, the final word is left to Parliament itself. In the Introduction to the Study of the Law of the Constitution (1885)[13] Dicey : â€Å"Parliament has the right to make or unmake any law whatever; and further, that no person or body is recognised by the law of England as having a right to override or set aside the legislation of Parliament.† This is the most important law of the English legal system and it is this rule above all which explains the country’s lack of a written constitution. As a direct consequence of the application of this principle the UK Parliament has the power to make, amend and revoke law on any issue at any time. No Parliament has the power to bind a successor Parliament to its will, meaning that no Parliament could enact a so-called constitutional law which could not later be repealed or amended by some future Parliament as easily as any other piece of legislation. Moreover, the only body with the ultimate power to vary a law brought into force by the UK Parliament is Parliament itself. This gives the English system considerable flexibility and adaptability, and this is clearly and advantage. However, given that the system relies exclusively on the integrity of Parliament, its success is predicated on a fluctuating democratic mechanism. To date, the United Kingdom has enjoyed good and stable government and its citizens have not expressed any cogent desire for the protection of a written constitution.. However, that is not to say that at some point in the future the â€Å"checks and balances† and clarity typically provided by a written constitution might prove useful. 3. A Civil Law System: France The French legal system is a good example of a civil law system operating under a written constitution. The current Constitution of France, which is known as the Constitution of the Fifth Republic, was adopted in 1958.[14] It has been amended on various occasions, most recently in 2003. The French model is particularly interesting as it was used as a template for the foundation treaties of the European Economic Community, which has now evolved to become the European Union, which itself is now seeking to establish its own written constitution.[15] National legal systems characterised as Civilian are those which see their origins in the model of governance adopted in ancient Rome by the Emperor Justinian (sometimes known as Roman law systems). Civil law systems are systematic (based on an organised code of conceived principle) and inductive (where a specific ruling is induced from a general first-principle) as opposed to Common law systems which are empirical (based on a bank of actual cases) and deductive (where a general principle is deduced from a specific instance or series of instances). As to which system is to be preferred, both give rise to a variety of advantages and disadvantages and both have the potential to provide a state with a fair and effective system of government. Codified or written systems are always of the Civil school, given that a code of law is a prerequisite of that legal tradition, and consequently common law or case law systems are far better suited to an uncodified or unwritten constitutional arrangement. In very general terms the advantages of written systems of law such as the French system are those of certainty, consistency, clarity and stability, while its main disadvantage is rigidity. Unwritten case law systems benefit from being more fluid and adaptable and assuming this flexibility is not abused an uncodified model can be extremely successful. The main disadvantages of case law systems are that it is more difficult to predict the law’s response to new situations, and that the fundamental guiding principles of the legal system are harder to identify. The preamble of the French constitution refers to the 1789 Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. As such it establishes the identity of the French state as a democratic secular republic which derives its sovereignty from the people of France. This gives the French constitution a clear mandate and provides it with a strong foundation, something which is lacking in unwritten, uncodified systems such as the English. This may be construed as an advantage, given law is an amorphous concept which can benefit from grounding in any context, but unless the authority of law is subject to challenge the advantage is theoretical only and the people of England appear satisfied to adhere to the law without such conceptual underpinning.. A written constitution such as the French offers a â€Å"one-stop shop† for provisions relating to the election of the President of France and the French Parliament.. It also sets down mechanisms for the appointment and selection of the Government of France, and specifically details the powers of each of these bodies and the relations between them. The French constitution also guaranteed the autonomy and authority of the judiciary and establishes the Constitutional Council, the High Court of Justice, and an Economic and Social Council. This is a clearly useful, and probably stands as an advantage over the English system, where such matters are dealt with in piecemeal fashion and without the simplicity and some might say methodological strength of an written system. When dispute arises in the French system there is therefore one and one only sovereign authority to turn to for guidance and this may prove beneficial in its resolution. In rebuttal, those defending the unwritten En glish system can point to many states which operate under a written constitution which suffer considerably more administrative difficulties and enjoy significantly less stability than it does. The maxim â€Å"if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it† appears to suit the English experience and explains the reluctance or at least ambivalence of English government and people in this context. The French constitution also provides for a politically strong President and this could be seen as another advantage, although again it is hard to argue that the British Prime Minister is prejudiced by the fact that his role is not similarly enshrined.. The French constitution also permits the ratification of international treaties such as those necessary for membership of the United Nations and European Union.. However, this is not necessarily an advantage. It is submitted that in modern times the trend has been towards greater and deeper international association. It could be argued that national written constitutions have the potential to frustrate international integration given that the international association may also wish to establish a sovereign constitution and that there will inevitably be conflict between the two sets of laws. There are tensions, for example, between the French constitution and the constitution which has been proposed for the European Union, and even with existing provisions of EU law. It can thus be contended that the English unwritten system is more adaptable to assimilation with an international body incorporating its own constitutional framework. Moreover written constitutions can be bypassed something done by French President Charles de Gaulle in highly controversial circumstances in 1962,[16] and this can leave a new law in a state of limbo. 4. Concluding Comments In summary, it is submitted that perhaps the most obvious advantage of a codified or written constitution is that it provides coherent, comprehensive and certain body of rules.. Being contained in a single document a codified constitution is accessible to all and can, if well crafted, establish an equitable and effective system of governance and rights. Written constitutions also promote consistency and concrete points of reference for law which can be applied to shape a legal system’s response to changing conditions within a state. That said however, written constitutions which become entrenched may suffer from rigidity and it is flexibility that perhaps stands as the greatest advantage of the unwritten, uncodified system operated in the United Kingdom. It is true that constitutional courts may offer a wide range of interpretations of constitutional principles under a written system, but it is not possible to lend a codified system that flexibility and adaptability enjoyed by an unwritten one. The title to this work asserts that â€Å"constitutions should be written†. It has been shown that this is not necessarily the case, given that states can function successfully and for long periods of time without the foundations of a codified or written constitutional framework. A good example is that of the United Kingdom itself, which is one of the most stable and successful democracies in the world, and which has grown to become such without being underpinned by a written constitutional document. While it has been suggested that the United Kingdom adopts a written constitution there appears to be no urgent pressure or compelling need to make the change. Therefore, while it is acknowledged that most states around the world have adopted a codified constitution this commentator contends that the statement under review should be subject to the caveat that states do not require to make reference to such a system of law as a prerequisite to effective government or a robust and e quitable society. The fact that a constitution is unwritten does not necessarily undermine the integrity of a national legal system, as the relative success of the United Kingdom and such countries as New Zealand and Israel testifies. There are, has been noted, risks attached to an unwritten system which puts its faith exclusively in the democratic process. However, in closing it is worth noting that there are also risks attached to written systems bound to overarching constitutions, because those constitutions can be abused or manipulated in a way that can deliver excessive power and authority. A constitution is, after all, only as good as the words that comprise it. Ironically, the elliptical doctrinal patchwork of an unwritten system can frustrate the intentions of nascent dictatorial ambition. In conclusion it is undeniably true that the great majority of states have chosen the certainty and clarity of a written system, but that is by no means the only way to run a country well. THE END WORD COUNT : 2808 (excluding footnotes) BIBLIOGRAPHY A. Bradley and K. Ewing, Constitutional and Administrative Law, (2003) Longman Wikipedia (various sources): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_of_the_United_States JF McEldowney, Public Law, (2002) Sweet Maxwell P. Spink and N. Busby et al, Scots Law, (2003) LexisNexis Albert Dicey, Introduction to the Study of the Law of the Constitution (1885): http://www..constitution.org/cmt/avd/law_con.htm. 1 Footnotes [1] For an insightful overview see: A. Bradley and K. Ewing, Constitutional and Administrative Law, 13th ed., (2003) Longman, chapter 1. [2] See: http://en.wikipedia..org/wiki/Constitution_of_the_United_States. [3] See: http://en.wikipedia..org/wiki/Constitution_of_Australia. [4] In the Constitution of Australia, most fundamental political principles and regulations regarding the relationship between branches of government, and regarding the government and the individual are codified in a single document, the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia. However, the existence of statutes with constitutional significance, namely the Statute of Westminster, as adopted by the Commonwealth in the Statute of Westminster Adoption Act 1942, and the Australia Act 1986 means that Australias constitution is not incorporated in a single constitutional document. [5] See: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/talking_politics/88136.stm. [6] See P. Spink and N. Busby et al, Scots Law, (2003) LexisNexis, chapter 1. [7] See: http://www.bl.uk/treasures/magnacarta/translation.html [8] See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Bill_of_Rights. [9] See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Act_of_Settlement. [10] See: http://en.wikipedia..org/wiki/Parliament_Acts. [11] Although the participation of the Crown is essentially ceremonial and formal only. [12] See: http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/charters/constitution..html. [13] Albert Dicey, Introduction to the Study of the Law of the Constitution (1885): http://www.constitution.org/cmt/avd/law_con.htm. [14] Which replaced that of the Fourth Republic dating from October 27, 1946. [15] Ironically this plan has been frustrated by a negative referendum vote in France itself. [16] See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_of_France.