The distinction between the rigid and flexible constitutions is based on the distinction between the law-making procedure and constitution amendment procedure. If constitution amendment procedure is distinct and difficult in comparison to law-making procedure, the constitution is said to be rigid, as in U.S.A. On the other hand, if a country follows the same procedure for lawmaking and constitution amendment, it is said to be a flexible constitution, as is the case in U.K.
Two Merits of Flexible Constitution :
The two merits of flexible constitution are :
1. The flexible constitution is suitable to emergency conditions as it can be easily changed.
2. It keeps pace with the changing conditions and adapts to new situations.
Two Demerits of Flexible Constitution: A flexible constitution is a source of inconsistency in governance, as it enables the government in power to give it desired content and directions.
Flexible constitution is not suitable in a federal polity because in a federation, there is a division of power between the union and states. A rigid constitution is required to maintain this division of power.
