B6

a.       An amendment can be formally proposed if there is a 2/3 vote in both houses of congress. It can be formally ratified by state legislatures by a vote of 3/4 of the states.

b.      Judicial interpretation is an informal method of changing the constitution. This gives the courts the right to decide whether actions by the executive and legislative branches are constitutional or not. An example would be the court case of Brown v. Board of Education. The Supreme Court decided that segregation was unconstitutional, and allowed the integration of public schools. Changing political practice is another informal method of changing the constitution. When a political practice is changed, it causes the constitution to have new meaning. An example would the formation of political parties. When the constitution was created, there were no political parties, and there were no stated powers in the constitution for parties. Once they developed in the 1800s, parties played a major role in making laws.

c.       The informal method is an easier and faster process than the formal method of changing the constitution. It is more convenient when there are needs that are urgent or demanding.