The Concept and History of Constitution

The idea of a constitution was first elaborated by Aristotle in his classification of governments as monarchies, tyrannies, aristocracies, oligarchies, democracies, and so on. For Aristotle, the best form of government – the best constitution – was that which combined elements of monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy in such a way that the citizens of every class were enabled to enjoy their respective privileges and encouraged to exercise their respective responsibilities in the interest of the whole society.

A constitution, to be worthy of the name, must contain provisions for certain political attributes: stability, both of form and of procedure; yet, on the other hand, adaptability to the social, economic, technological, and other changes that are inevitable in the life of a state; accountability of those in power to some other organ of the state, such as an electorate; representation of the governed within the government; openness in the conduct of government; and division of power among distinct branches of government. Constitutional government is thus limited government, and it is a chief function of a constitution to serve as the standard of legitimacy by which governments may be judged.

In its wider sense, the term “constitution” means the whole scheme whereby a country is governed; and this includes much else besides law. The constitutional lawyer must constantly keep glancing backward into constitutional history; he must also keep his eye on current political practice and the day-to-day working of political institutions. In its narrower sense, “constitution” means the leading legal rules, usually collected into some document that comes to be almost venerated as “The Constitution.” But no country’s constitution can ever be compressed within the compass of one document, and even where the attempt has been made, it is necessary to consider the extralegal rules, customs, and conventions that grow up around the formal document.

Vocabulary

accountability n ответственность, подотчетность

adaptability n приспособляемость, способность к приспособлению

attribute n атрибут, неотъемлемое свойство, символ, отличительная черта

branch n ветвь, отрасль, отделение; branches of government «ветви» власти

compass n предел, граница; within the compass of… в пределах…

compress v сдавливать, сжимать

conduct n поведение, руководство

convention n условность, обычай

custom n обычай, привычка

day-to-day adj повседневный

distinct adj ясный, отчетливый, определенный

elaborate v детально/тщательно разрабатывать или обдумывать, вырабатывать

electorate n избиратели

enable v давать (кому-л.) возможность или право (что-л. сделать)

encourage v вселять мужество, надежду; воодушевлять

exercise v осуществлять, применять, использовать

extralegal adj не подпадающий под действие закона, не предусмотренный законом

govern v управлять, руководить; (the) governed n те, кем управляют/руководят

government n государственная власть, правительство

grow up v создаваться, возникать (об обычаях и т.п.)

inevitable adj неизбежный, неминуемый

judge v судить, делать вывод

keep glancing backward продолжать оглядываться назад

keep one’s eye on не спускать глаз с чего-л., неотступно следить за чем-л.

legitimacy n законность (власти)

monarchy n монархия

oligarchy n олигархия

privilege n привилегия, преимущество; enjoy privilege пользоваться привилегией

provision n положение, условие (закона), постановление

representation n представительство

respective adj соответственный, соответствующий (чему-л.)

responsibility n ответственность, обязанность, обязательство

tyranny n тирания, деспотизм

venerate v чтить, преклоняться

whereby adv посредством чего, с помощью которой

worthy adj достойный, заслуживающий

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14