Lesson 6- Law & Constitution-1

Law

A set of public and enforceable rules that apply throughout a political community.

Jurisprudence

The science of law.

Rule of Law

The principle that law should govern a nation, as opposed to being governed by arbitrary decisions of individual government officials.

Functions of Laws

Defines the rights and duties of citizens, imposes taxes, appropriates funds, defines crimes and punishments, creates and abolishes government offices, and regulates human conduct.

Sources of Laws

Religion, customs, equity, constitutions, legislation, treaties, executive proclamations, judicial decisions, and legal commentaries.

International Law

Laws that govern the conduct of states and their relations with one another.

Municipal/National Law

Laws issued and enforced by the state to regulate its citizens.

Public Law

Regulates the relations between the state and individuals.

Private Law

Regulates relations between individuals.

Constitutional Law

A branch of public law which deals with the constitution, its nature, formation, amendment, and interpretation.

Constitution

The body of rules and principles that govern a state and confirm its sovereignty.

Democratic Constitution

A constitution that embodies principles such as rule of law, transfer of power, separation of powers, relations between government and citizens, and government accountability.

Rigid Constitution

A constitution that cannot be amended or altered easily.

Flexible Constitution

A constitution that may be altered in the same way as other laws.

Bill of Rights

A statement of the rights of a class of people, especially the rights guaranteed to the citizens of a country.

Separation of Powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another.

Check and Balances

System that ensures that no one branch of government becomes too powerful.

Final Arbiter

The entity designated to resolve disputes regarding the interpretation of the constitution.