Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Political Science

Chapter

Constitution As A Living Document

Question:

In which country can people directly initiate an amendment to the constitution?

Options:

Switzerland

United States

South Africa

All of the above.

Correct Answer:

Switzerland

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option 1- Switzerland
Switzerland allows its citizens to initiate amendments to the constitution through popular initiatives, demonstrating the principle of people's participation in constitutional amendments.


Two principles dominate the various procedures of amending the constitutions in most modern constitutions.

One is the principle of special majority. For instance, the constitutions of U.S., South Africa, Russia, etc. have employed this principle: In the case of constitution of US, it is two-thirds majority, while in South Africa and Russia, for some amendments, three-fourths majority is required.

The other principle that is popular among many modern constitutions is that of people’s participation in the process of amending the constitution. In Switzerland, people can even initiate an amendment. Other examples of countries where people initiate or approve amendment to the constitution are Russia and Italy, among others.