Droit Constitutionnel et Institutions Politiques

All legal and factual elements that explain the mode of organization and functioning of political power in a specific society, including the legal structure of powers determined by the constitution.

Legal rules that govern the organization and functioning of public powers; sets the rules for political competition and debate, and defines the powers of various political authorities. Also determines the foundations of society and the principles that should govern it.

A multi-faceted concept; a founding agreement where a community establishes the conditions for exercising political power.

The constitution establishes the fundamental rules for a newly formed state on the international stage; acts as a foundational document for a political system.

The constitution organizes public powers, establishes organs of the state (President, government, parliament), and details their designation, power, and relationships.

Describes the type of government, example republic, monarchy, empire, form of state, and organizational structure (ex: federal, unitary, decentralized).

Defines core values of the government, such as the relationship between citizens, the government and its principles.

The constitution outlines the organization of public powers, establishes key state bodies, and defines their roles, election processes, and interactions.

The supreme power within a state, not subordinate to any other authority.

Sovereignty within a nation's borders, encompassing legal authority and organization.

The state's ability to determine its own competencies and fundamental rules.

The Constitution stands at the top of legal norms within a state's internal framework.

The state's sovereignty, although supreme, is limited by its own laws and international agreements.

The constitution establishes the relationship between the government and its citizens and limits governmental power. It defines the boundaries of power, ensuring a limited state.

A key principle in limiting governmental power. Different branches of government have distinct responsibilities to prevent tyranny.

A system where the government operates within the limits set by the law.

The supreme authority rests in the people, who elect their representatives.

The ability of citizens to influence and participate in decision-making processes, including elections and referendums.

Basic rights and freedoms that protect citizens from government abuse, which the constitution guarantees.

Mechanisms like review by a constitutional court to ensure that laws and actions of the government respect the constitution and citizens' rights.

A principle of government in which governmental powers are limited to those expressly granted by the constitution, thus protecting individual rights.

System of checking laws against higher-level norms, from individual legal acts to regulations, laws to the constitution.

French legal tradition prioritizing law as the supreme expression of the general will.

Theory proposing a hierarchical structure of legal norms, with the constitution at the top.

Reviewing laws to ensure they align with the constitution.

French constitution limiting parliamentary sovereignty and defining law's scope by constitutional limitations.

Federated states often create institutions mirroring the federal model, exercising their powers independently, but still subject to federal oversight, particularly regarding jurisdictional boundaries.

Various structures for organizing federal states exist, encompassing different models like the American system.

The supreme, independent power of a state over its territory and citizens, both internally and externally.

The concept of sovereignty emerged in the 16th and 17th centuries, shifting power from rulers to the state as an abstract entity.

Sovereignty's authority within the state's borders, regarding its control over laws and institutions.

Sovereignty's authority concerning the state's relationships with other nations, independence from external influences.

Sovereignty embodies supreme, indivisible power and authority, ensuring its laws (e.g., constitutions) hold the highest rank.

Even unitary states like Italy and Spain exhibit regional variations, granting certain collectivités infra-étatiques powers to enact laws, demonstrating a departure from the traditional uniformity of unitary states.

Supreme power or authority in a state or other political entity.

The supreme power of a state's authority and the scope of its powers.

Sovereignty residing in the nation as a collective unity, not individuals.

Division of sovereign powers between different entities like federal states or levels of government.

The range of powers that a state possesses to enact laws or manage its affairs.

Shifting of powers from a state or nation to supranational institutions or other states.

Difference between sovereignty residing in the nation as a whole (national) versus the people (popular).

The essential governmental powers without which a state cannot function or be considered sovereign. Examples include justice and defense.