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The constitution serves as the supreme law of a state, defining its political structure, government powers, and citizens' rights while ensuring their welfare and safety. It enhances democratic systems by promoting principles such as justice, equality, and accountability, and limits governmental power through checks and balances. Additionally, constitutionalism ensures the respect for fundamental human rights, popular sovereignty, and the promotion of the common good among citizens.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
8 views2 pages

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The constitution serves as the supreme law of a state, defining its political structure, government powers, and citizens' rights while ensuring their welfare and safety. It enhances democratic systems by promoting principles such as justice, equality, and accountability, and limits governmental power through checks and balances. Additionally, constitutionalism ensures the respect for fundamental human rights, popular sovereignty, and the promotion of the common good among citizens.

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abenzerabebe747
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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The constitution defines a state��s political structure and the

distribution of government powers


It serves as the state��s supreme law and even as a national symbol
of the state, where by everyone and everything else operates
under the constitution.
It also establishes general rules governing citizens�� duties and
rights, as well as ensuring their welfare or safety, prosperity,
health, and happiness. Most constitutions include a declaration of
citizens�� fundamental rights. These will include, at a minimum,
the right to life, liberty, freedom of thought, speech, association,
and assembly, and freedom from arbitrary arrest or unlawful
punishment.
It also determines whether a country��s government is presidential,
parliamentary republican, or monarchical.
It establishes the legitimacy of government in newly formed
states. It grants governments the legitimate or legal right to rule
or govern, and thus serves as a tool for legitimising regimes.
It also reflects the values, ideas, and goals that appear to best
express the spirit of the country��s political culture. Constitutions
may define the national flag, anthem, and other symbols as
instruments for nation building
The importance of constitutionalism

Enhances democratic system


that democracy is a system that establishes
some basic principles by which a government, whatever its form,
must be governed. Justice, equity, freedom, liberty, openness,
accountability, and transparency are examples of such principles in
government. In this context, constitutionalism provides guidance
to democracy in terms of individual rights, limited government,
and checks and balances. Without the support of constitutionalism,
democratic consolidation is incomplete because constitutionalism
entails adhering to both the letter and spirit of the constitution.
It enables the government to put the constitution��s values and
principles into action, which are essential components of a
democratic system. This, in turn, leads to the presence of thriving
democracy in a given state. Meanwhile, it is not an exaggeration
to claim that constitutionalism provides the principles that govern
democratic government
Promotes Equality before the law
The presence of constitutionalism in a given country would create
an opportunity in which no one is above the law, regardless of
position or wealth. As a result, the law should not be twisted to
benefit any individual, whether rich or poor, young or old, king or
servant, literate or illiterate, etc. As a result, the principle states that
all citizens of a country should have equal access to legal facilities,
a fair hearing, and legal advice in a court of law.
Provides limited and accountable government
The primary goal of constitutionalism is to limit governmental
power, to check and restrain those who hold public office and wield
political power. According to constitutionalism, those who govern
should not be absolute. The exercise of their functions and authority
is constrained by a constitutional provision. Constitutionalism
is linked to the concept of limited government by establishing
mechanisms for holding officials accountable to the electorate,
separation of powers, checks and balances, human rights protection,
and so on.
On the other hand, the ruling officials are bound by laws approved
by the people and must account to them for their actions. The
right of the people to vote on competing parties on a regular basis
ensures that ruling officials are at least minimally accountable and
responsive to the governed
Leaders who consistently fail to meet the majority��s demands will
be replaced by competitors in the next election. Constitutionalism
ensures that the government acts as a trustee for the people
Respect for Fundamental Human Rights
Individual rights must be incorporated into a constitution and other
laws, but this is not an end in itself
It is merely a means to an end. It must be demonstrated that these
rights are respected and protected. Constitutionalism strengthens
the practical protection of citizens�� fundamental human rights. This
principle contends that citizens of a country should have certain
fundamental inalienable rights and liberties, violations of which
they have the right to seek redress in a court of law. A violation
of these liberties constitutes a violation of the provisions of the
constitution. As a result, constitutionalism ensures the fundamental
human rights, personal liberty, and freedom that are at the heart of
democracy
Ensures Popular Sovereignty
The legitimacy of any governmental power is derived from public
consent. In other words, the people give the government their
mandate. The general public is involved in the decision making
process, which can take various forms. The most obvious is the
representative election.
Constitutionalism advocates for every adult��s right to vote and be
voted for in all political elections. When the public loses faith in its
representatives, and the latter fail to represent the public��s interests,
representatives may be recalled before their term of office expires.
Promoting the common good:
Constitutionalism also allows all citizens to work together toward
a common goal. The term ��common good�� refers to the primacy of
social interests over personal interests. In other words, it denotes
the subordination of personal interests to the good or benefit of
the community. The promotion of community interest promotes a
common goal from which all individuals benefit.

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