Constitutional Foundations of Government
I. Four Purposes of Constitutions
A. Organize Government
B. Legitimize the Political System
C. Limit Government Power
D. Distribute Government Power
II. What Constitutions May Reveal
A. Diffusion/Concentration of Power
B. Foundations of Economy
C. History of Nation/State
D. Basic Societal Values
III. Making and Changing Constitutions
A. Evolutionary Development
B. By Assembly
C. By Decree
D. By Amendment
E. Judicial Review
F. Custom and Usage
IV. Constitutionalism
A. Rule of Law
B. Frequent, Meaningful and Competitive Elections
C. Broad Based Legitimacy
D. Majority Rule and Minority Rights
1. Procedural Rights
2. Substantive Rights
Key Websites