LESSON LightofRestorationPeace,WorldCulture,Heavenly 4 THE CONSTITUTION LESSON OBJECTIVES 1 Understand what the constitution is and examine the contents of the constitution. 2 Understand the characteristics of the constitution. TERMS TO KNOW • Historicity of the constitution • Openness
What is Constitution?
The constitution describes how the state organization should be structured and operated. Most national organizations are composed of legislative, executive and judiciary branches according to the principle of separation of powers. The Constitution explains how these organizations should operate.Inaddition, the constitution explains the basic rights that the people should enjoy. The basic rights guaranteed in the
Figure 4-1 Hierarchy of laws
The constitution first explains what values the state pursues. The values pursued by countries include sovereignty, freedom, equality, human rights, etc. and each country has slightly different values. The First Amendment in the constitution of the United States emphasizes freedom, while the French constitution emphasizes equality under the law, and the German emphasizes human rights.
The constitution is the highest law within a country and there are no higher norms than it. The Constitution is the most basic law that regulates the operation and organization of a country and serves as the standard and basis for all subordinate laws. Sub-laws such as laws, acts, enforcement ordinances, regulations, norms, rules, etc. are created within the content and purpose of the constitution. Therefore, all citizens must abide by the Constitution. The president, prime minister, legislators, judges, or any other person in power shall not violate the constitution.
2 4. The Constitution
What are the Contents of ModernConstitutiontheinaCountry?
ConstitutionLawsRegulations
Constitution include the right to freedom, the right to equality, the right to vote, the right to claim, and the right to socialize. The constitution stipulates that the state must guarantee that the people can fully enjoy their basic rights.Furthermore, the constitution explains essential elements for the operation of the state, such as territory, citizenship, economy, etc.
Characteristics of the Constitution
4. The Constitution 3
Figure 4-2 The code of Hammurabi created around 1750 B.C. reflects the conditions of that era
What are the characteristics of the Constitution? First, the constitution has a historical character. The constitution can be changed or amended to reflect the values people consider important. As we have seen in the history of democracy, citizens have tried to control the tyranny of those in power and to keep them under the control of the law. The constitution is the result of reflecting such historical background and efforts of citizens. In that sense, the constitution is not a fixed and immutable law, and it can be changed in the future according to the needs of people and the circumstances of the times. In this way, the constraint of the constitution by historical conditions and governing circumstances is called the historicity of the constitution. The constitution is also open-minded. Some people misunderstand that the provisions of the Constitution seem to be weak, but this is an intentional bluff because the constitution is the highest norm, it does not
4 4. The Constitution need to prescribe details, but it only prescribes what is important. Therefore, the provisions of the Constitution are comprehensive and general in content. Instead, it specifies the contents of the Constitution through sub-laws. The characteristic of the constitution that can encompass various situations occurring within the country is called openness.
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1 Let’s investigate and share what contains in the constitution of the country to which I belong.
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5 Among the characteristics of the constitution, what does openness mean?
4. The Constitution 5 Reviewing the Lesson
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Activities
2 Let’s create necessary rules for the classroom. First, let’s write each clause and finalize the class rules by voting. If an amendment is necessary, let’s confirm the amendment through voting.
1 Where does the Constitution stand in a country? What are some sub laws of the constitution? What is contained within the constitution? From one of the characteristics of the constitution, what does historicity mean?
Lesson4. The Constitution 5th floor 20, Nambusunhwan-ro 347-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul, South-Korea Tel. +82 02-514-1963 Fax. +82 Thehwpl@hwpl.krhttp://www.hwpl.kr02-514-1961firsteditionon31 July 2022 Published by Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light Copyright 2022 Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light All rights reserved. You must get consent from a copyright owner to use all or parts of the contents of this book. Image Credits Figure 4-1 Self-production Figure 4-2 Hammurabi_face_rwk.JPGhttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/64/P1050763_Louvre_code_
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