Constitution
The fundamental law of a state โ usually written โ that defines the structure of government, allocates power, and (typically) lists protected rights.
Origin
Most modern constitutions follow the model of the US Constitution (1787) and the post-1789 French ones: a written document with a preamble, separation-of-powers articles, and a bill of rights. The UK is the great exception โ its 'constitution' is uncodified, a patchwork of statutes, court rulings, and convention going back to Magna Carta. South Africa's 1996 constitution is widely admired for its rights catalogue. The shortest in force is Monaco's; the longest is India's (146,000 words). Every modern coup is followed by a new constitution that almost no one outside the ruling group reads.
Modern usage
'Constitutional' as a word doing a lot of work in US politics โ 'unconstitutional' is the strongest available legal-political condemnation. 'Constitutional crisis' is the standard phrase for any moment when the rules themselves are in dispute. Many countries have a 'Constitution Day.' The pocket-sized US Constitution is a familiar prop.
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