Constitutional law

This chapter on constitutional law provides a brief introduction into what constitutional law is and its main doctrines and concepts. The focus will be on what constitutes a state, a nation and a nation state, and what is sovereignty, as well as on the different forms of states (unitary, federal) as well as on various systems of government (such as parliamentary and presidential). Furthermore we will go into such fundamental constitutional concepts as democracy (direct and indirect), separation of powers and checks and balances, the rule of law, courts and judicial review and protection of fundamental rights. Also we will describe the role of states in international relations (treaty making) and the impact international law and international organizations (specifically a state like organization such as the european union with its far ranging powers) may have on domestic (constitutional) law and policy.