A good constitution is one that works well. It should have the following features:
1. Well Written:
It must be well defined and precise. It should not have ambiguities and obscurities of language, because this may lead to conflicting interpretations.
Such a constitution will depend for its interpretation on the whims of the judges. In this respect a carefully drafted written constitution is more satisfactory than an unwritten one, as a written constitution is the result of careful thought.
An unwritten constitution, on the other hand, is indefinite and unprecise because of the vague character of the convention and the traditions, of which it is generally made.
2. Comprehensiveness:
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A constitution should be sufficiently comprehensive, covering the whole field of government. The powers of different organs of the government and various functionaries of the state must be clearly demarcated. A constitution that is detailed becomes a plaything in the hands of judiciary.
The U.S. Constitution is an example of a very brief constitution. It is matter of common knowledge that this constitution is what the Supreme Court makes of it.
A good constitution should not omit the main fundamentals and at the same time does not enter into needless details, since a detailed constitution is also liable to give rise to constitutional disputes. Besides, a detailed constitution indicates a sort of distrust in the various organs of the government and hampers its natural growth.
3. Partly Rigid and Partly Flexible:
A constitution should neither be very rigid nor very flexible. A rigid constitution does not possess the qualities of adaptability and adjustability.
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With the changing needs of time a flexible constitution is liable to be perverted. The best constitution is one which combines both the elements of rigidity and flexibility. It must provide a method of change so that it may be changed and adopted without a revolution.
4. Provision for a Bill of Rights:
A constitution should provide for a bill of rights for the people. It has become a necessity in the modern democratic age. It should also make adequate provision for the protection of individual liberty by providing for appeal to the law courts.
5. Suitability:
Lastly, a good constitution should represent the needs of the time and should be suitable for social, political and economic needs of the people. “Legal sovereign should coincide with political sovereign.”