Similarities Between The Constitution And California Constitution

To govern is to control, influence, or regulate. The very basis of our country and state’s constitution does just that. It is quite remarkable that a document, put together over 220 years ago, has held its ground and gone to influence other countries’ and states’ governments, just like our very own state of California. When comparing the U.S. Constitution with the California Constitution, readers can very much identify the similarities to one another as well as major differences that distinguish the state and the country’s government.

The two documents contain very general similarities. They both have a bicameral legislature, which means that they have two chambers or houses. They also both have a Bill of Rights which showcases the rights that the citizens have. Like the U.S. government, the Californian government also has a legislative, executive, and judicial branch where, in short, the legislative branch makes the laws, the executive branch carries out the laws, and the judicial branch interprets the laws, among other things. In order for both governments to run smoothly, California was influenced by the federal system of checks and balances, meaning that no single branch of government can become too powerful. In addition, the state governor has similar duties to the president such as serving as commander in chief of a militia and having the supreme executive power (Cal. Const. art. V, § 1&7). Although, within the similarities, many differences can be noted between the two documents, ranging from minor differences to major differences.

Starting in the legislative branch, some minor differences include the federal bicameral legislature containing the Senate and the House of Representatives (U.S. Const. art. I, § 2&3), whereas ...

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...tering or pursuing a business, profession, vocation, or employment because of sex, race, creed, color, or national or ethnic origin” which still lives up to itself now (Cal. Const. art. I, § 8). In addition, non citizens of the state “have the same property rights as citizens” (Cal. Const. art. I, § 20). There are a ton more differences the Californian Constitution has from the Bill of Rights, mainly because of how vague the document is, which gives the federal government the room to interpret as necessary.

Researching and reading about both documents entirely enforces the notion that to govern is to control, influence, or regulate. All these laws and rights make for a controlled environment to live in which is being constantly questioned and infracted unpin everyday. The Founding Fathers put forth an amazing document that will live on for years and years to pass.