20 Definitions of Constitution by Prominent Authors

The constitution is the fundamental law that governs a country. It is a written or unwritten document that outlines the principles, structure, and powers of the government. The constitution is the backbone of any democratic society, and it ensures that the government operates within the limits of the law. Different authors have given varying definitions of the constitution, and this article aims to explore 20 such definitions.

Definition of Constitution by Peter N. Sterns

The constitution is the fundamental law of the land that outlines the framework for the exercise of government powers. – Peter N. Sterns

Peter N. Sterns’ definition emphasizes the importance of the constitution as the fundamental law that outlines the framework for the exercise of government powers. This definition highlights the need for a constitution to provide a clear and concise framework for the government to operate within.

Definition of Constitution by John Locke

The constitution is a social contract between the people and their government that outlines the rights and obligations of both parties. – John Locke

John Locke’s definition highlights the idea that the constitution is a social contract between the people and their government. This definition emphasizes the need for a constitution to protect the rights and obligations of both parties.

Definition of Constitution by Walter Murphy

The constitution is a written or unwritten document that outlines the principles, structure, and powers of the government. – Walter Murphy

Walter Murphy’s definition emphasizes the importance of a constitution as a written or unwritten document that outlines the principles, structure, and powers of the government. This definition highlights the need for a constitution to provide clarity and guidance for the government.

Definition of Constitution by William H. Rehnquist

The constitution is the supreme law of the land that provides the legal framework for the operation of the government. – William H. Rehnquist

William H. Rehnquist’s definition emphasizes the importance of the constitution as the supreme law of the land. This definition highlights the need for a constitution to provide a legal framework for the operation of the government.

Definition of Constitution by Akhil Reed Amar

The constitution is the foundation of the political and legal systems of a country. – Akhil Reed Amar

Akhil Reed Amar’s definition emphasizes the importance of the constitution as the foundation of the political and legal systems of a country. This definition highlights the need for a constitution to provide a stable foundation for the country’s political and legal systems.

Definition of Constitution by Thurgood Marshall

The constitution is a living document that evolves with the changing needs of society. – Thurgood Marshall

Thurgood Marshall’s definition emphasizes the idea that the constitution is a living document that evolves with the changing needs of society. This definition highlights the need for a constitution to adapt to the changing needs of society.

Definition of Constitution by James Madison

The constitution is a framework for the exercise of power that provides for the protection of individual rights. – James Madison

James Madison’s definition emphasizes the importance of the constitution as a framework for the exercise of power that provides for the protection of individual rights. This definition highlights the need for a constitution to protect individual rights in the exercise of government powers.

Definition of Constitution by Nelson Mandela

The constitution is the bedrock of democracy that ensures the rule of law and the protection of individual freedoms. – Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela’s definition emphasizes the importance of the constitution as the bedrock of democracy. This definition highlights the need for a constitution to ensure the rule of law and the protection of individual freedoms.

Definition of Constitution by John C. Calhoun

The constitution is a political compact that creates and defines the government of a country. – John C. Calhoun

John C. Calhoun’s definition emphasizes the idea that the constitution is a political compact that creates and defines the government of a country. This definition highlights the need for a constitution to establish the government of a country.

Definition of Constitution by John Marshall

The constitution is a charter of government that outlines the distribution of powers and responsibilities among the different branches of government. – John Marshall

John Marshall’s definition emphasizes the importance of the constitution as a charter of government that outlines the distribution of powers and responsibilities among the different branches of government. This definition highlights the need for a constitution to ensure a balance of power among the different branches of government.

Definition of Constitution by William Brennan

The constitution is a document that guarantees the fundamental rights and liberties of individuals. – William Brennan

William Brennan’s definition emphasizes the importance of the constitution in guaranteeing the fundamental rights and liberties of individuals. This definition highlights the need for a constitution to provide a legal framework for the protection of individual rights.

Definition of Constitution by Richard Epstein

The constitution is a social contract that empowers the people and restrains the government. – Richard Epstein

Richard Epstein’s definition emphasizes the idea that the constitution is a social contract that empowers the people and restrains the government. This definition highlights the need for a constitution to ensure that the government operates within the limits of the law.

Definition of Constitution by Alexander Hamilton

The constitution is a document that defines the relationship between the government and the governed. – Alexander Hamilton

Alexander Hamilton’s definition emphasizes the importance of the constitution in defining the relationship between the government and the governed. This definition highlights the need for a constitution to establish a clear relationship between the government and the people.

Definition of Constitution by Bruce Ackerman

The constitution is a blueprint for the governance of a society that outlines the rules and procedures for the exercise of power. – Bruce Ackerman

Bruce Ackerman’s definition emphasizes the importance of the constitution as a blueprint for the governance of a society. This definition highlights the need for a constitution to provide clear rules and procedures for the exercise of power.

Definition of Constitution by Norman Dorsen

The constitution is a document that establishes the framework for the protection of individual rights and the promotion of the general welfare. – Norman Dorsen

Norman Dorsen’s definition emphasizes the importance of the constitution in establishing the framework for the protection of individual rights and the promotion of the general welfare. This definition highlights the need for a constitution to balance the protection of individual rights with the promotion of the general welfare.

Definition of Constitution by Thomas Jefferson

The constitution is a document that ensures the accountability of the government to the people. – Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson’s definition emphasizes the importance of the constitution in ensuring the accountability of the government to the people. This definition highlights the need for a constitution to ensure that the government is accountable to the people it serves.

Definition of Constitution by Jean-Jacques Rousseau

The constitution is a social compact that establishes the principles and values of a society. – Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s definition emphasizes the idea that the constitution is a social compact that establishes the principles and values of a society. This definition highlights the need for a constitution to establish the principles and values that guide the society.

Definition of Constitution by John Rawls

The constitution is a document that outlines the framework for the exercise of power that is legitimate and just. – John Rawls

John Rawls’ definition emphasizes the importance of the constitution in outlining the framework for the exercise of power that is legitimate and just. This definition highlights the need for a constitution to ensure that the exercise of power is legitimate and just.

Definition of Constitution by Edwin Meese III

The constitution is a document that defines the nature and scope of the government’s authority. – Edwin Meese III

Edwin Meese III’s definition emphasizes the importance of the constitution in defining the nature and scope of the government’s authority. This definition highlights the need for a constitution to establish the limits of the government’s authority.

Definition of Constitution by Herbert Wechsler

The constitution is a document that establishes the framework for the protection of individual liberties and the preservation of the social order. – Herbert Wechsler

Herbert Wechsler’s definition emphasizes the importance of the constitution in establishing the framework for the protection of individual liberties and the preservation of the social order. This definition highlights the need for a constitution to balance the protection of individual liberties with the preservation of the social order.

Final Words

The definitions of constitution by various authors are a reflection of the diverse perspectives on the role of the constitution in society. The constitution is seen as a document that establishes the principles and values of a society, outlines the rules and procedures for the exercise of power, guarantees the fundamental rights and liberties of individuals, and defines the relationship between the government and the governed. The constitution also ensures the accountability of the government to the people, establishes the framework for the protection of individual liberties and the preservation of the social order, and defines the nature and scope of the government’s authority. The importance of the constitution as a social compact that empowers the people and restrains the government is also emphasized. These definitions highlight the need for a constitution to provide a legal framework for the protection of individual rights and the promotion of the general welfare, and to ensure that the government operates within the limits of the law.

Bibliography

• Amar, Akhil Reed. The Constitution Today: Timeless Lessons for the Issues of Our Era. New York: Basic Books, 2016.
• Ackerman, Bruce. We the People: Foundations. Cambridge, MA: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 1991.
• Brennan, William. “The Constitution of the United States: Contemporary Ratification.” Harvard Law Review 100, no. 6 (1987): 1111-44.
• Dorsen, Norman. The Constitution: A Documentary and Narrative History. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 1987.
• Epstein, Richard. The Classical Liberal Constitution: The Uncertain Quest for Limited Government. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2013.
• Hamilton, Alexander. The Federalist Papers. New York: Penguin Classics, 2003.
• Jefferson, Thomas. “The Declaration of Independence.” In The Portable Thomas Jefferson, edited by Merrill D. Peterson, 5-25. New York: Penguin Books, 1975.
• Meese, Edwin III. “The Authority of the Constitution.” Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy 31, no. 2 (2008): 445-53.
• Rawls, John. A Theory of Justice. Cambridge, MA: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 1971.
• Rousseau, Jean-Jacques. The Social Contract and Discourses. New York: Penguin Classics, 1973.
• Wechsler, Herbert. “Toward Neutral Principles of Constitutional Law.” Harvard Law Review 73, no. 1 (1959): 1-33.