The Westminster Model as a Constitutional Archetype

This chapter defines the Westminster Model and describes its historical development, arguing that a Westminster Model constitution is most suitable for Britain's needs. It distinguishes the essential elements that define the nature, character, and identity of the Westminster Model from the particular aspects of any national constitution. It also mentions Arend Lijphart, who attempted to define the Westminster Model in terms of macro-level institutional design choices and equates it with a majoritarian understanding of democracy. The chapter looks at the constitutional systems of Australia, Barbados, Canada, India, Malta, and New Zealand that have a considerable variety of design choice on issues relating to a written constitution. It uses the six countries to define the Westminster Model as a global-imperial family of constitutional systems.