Constitution

• What is the constitution?  What role does it play?
• When was the first constitution written?  What is it called?  What did it do?
• Do you think it is better for Egyptian government to write the constitution first or to have the presidential elections first?  Why or why not?

1-A constitution is a framework of laws and principles that establish the function, nature, offices, powers, and limits of a government. In addition, they do so with a constitution, which expressly delegates to the government specific and well-defined powers and which also expressly restricts the powers of the government. The goal is, of course, to ensure the widest ambit of liberty for peaceful, law-abiding people.

Therefore, a constitution has a dual purpose: to call into existence a government but, at the same time, to limit the powers of that government. After all, theoretically it would be possible to call into existence a government with the power to “do the right thing.” But “the right thing” in the minds of some people is: Force them to go to church, make them read only “proper” literature, require a license to engage in economic enterprise, and coerce people to share their wealth with others.

2-The Constitution of India is the longest written constitution of any sovereign country in the world. The Constitution declares India to be a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic, assuring its citizens of justice, equality, and liberty, and endeavours to promote fraternity among them. The words "socialist" and "secular" were added to the definition in 1976 by constitutional amendmentIndia celebrates the adoption of the constitution on 26 January each year as Republic Day.

3- We must get back tp the true path of democratic transition and reform the constitution in Egypt before, not after, we have the presidential elections. Because we must choose the president according to the constitution not the reciprocal. In addition, what reamins to be argued is how this new constitution would be formed. By an elected or appointed constituent assembly? By a panel of jurists and selected (presumbly by the supreme council) politicans? By reprensentatives of all political parties (legal or not) and youth groups? These are questions that need answering.