Single Idea 19861

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 3. Constitutions]

Full Idea

Any society in which the guarantee of Rights is not assured, nor the separation of Power determined, has no Constitution.

Gist of Idea

There is only a constitution if rights are assured, and separation of powers defined

Source

Mirabeau and committee (Declaration of the Rights of Man [1789], 16)

Book Reference

'Les Philosophes', ed/tr. Torrey,Norman L. [Perigee 1980], p.286


A Reaction

I wonder if they had Britain in mind with this one? The British latched onto Magna Carta in the early 19th century, because it offered some semblance of a constitution.