EMC C.1 - The Law, Guarantor of the Values and Principles of the Republic

Vocabulary flashcards covering the definitions, principles, values, symbols, and legal foundations of the French Republic based on the EMC course notes.

Republic (République)

A way of organizing society in which State affairs are public and concern all citizens.

Democracy (Démocratie)

A political regime in which power (sovereignty) belongs to the people.

Representative Democracy (Démocratie représentative)

A system where the people decide on laws by electing representatives to govern the country, city, middle school, and other levels.

Bloc constitutionnel

The group of 4 major legal texts gathered together containing the most important laws of the State.

Texts of the Bloc constitutionnel

The Constitution of October 4, 1958, the DDHC of 1789, the Charter for the Environment of 2004, and the Preamble to the Constitution of October 27, 1946.

Déclaration des Droits de l'Homme et du Citoyen de 1789 (DDHC)

A fundamental text of the French Republic from the French Revolution that enunciates a set of rights and conditions for their implementation, holding legal authority (valeur de loi).

Article 1 of the DDHC (1789)

The article stating: 'Les hommes naissent et demeurent libres et égaux en droits' (Men are born and remain free and equal in rights).

Principles of the French Republic

The fundamental principles stating that France is an indivisible, secular (laïque), democratic, and social Republic.

Article 1 of the Constitution

The constitutional article specifying: 'La France est une République indivisible, laïque, démocratique et sociale.'

Values of the French Republic

Liberty, Equality, Fraternity (Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité), which were defined and established during the revolutions of 1789 and 1848.

Freedom of Conscience (Liberté de conscience)

The freedom to think, to hold or not hold a religious belief, and to practice it.

Secularism (Laïcité)

A constitutional principle of the French State based on freedom of conscience, equal treatment without religious discrimination, and State neutrality separated from Churches since 1905.

Symbols of the Republic

Emblems including the national anthem (La Marseillaise), the tricolor flag, Marianne, the national holiday of July 14th, and the republican motto, displayed on public buildings and used during official ceremonies or sports events.

La Marseillaise

The national anthem of the French Republic, associated in the 1936 context with the value of fraternity.

National Holiday of July 14th (Fête nationale du 14 juillet)

A national celebration associated with the storming of the Bastille (La prise de la Bastille) and representing equality.

Marianne

An allegorical figure representing France and liberty across historical contexts (including Marianne of London in 1944, 1955, 1989, 1999, and Marianne and Europe in 2011).

Phrygian Bonnet (Bonnet phrygien)

A symbol and headpiece associated with Marianne and republican representation noted in 1999.

Tricolor Flag (Drapeau tricolore)

The official flag of France, representing liberty and linked to the 1830 revolution allegory of liberty.

State Neutrality and 1905 Separation

The principle that the French State has been separated from Churches since 1905 to ensure complete religious neutrality.