1. What is a constitution and why do we have them?
Constitutions
What is a constitution and why do we have them?

2. Introduction
Every state has a different way of setting up and using government
Constitution: List of human rights protected by the state and a set of fundamental laws that determine the central institutions and offices, and powers and duties of the state.
Sets up accountability between the different branches of gov’t & defines their purpose and make up

3. Social Contract

4. What is a constitution? 4 main features:
Fundamental laws (rules about rules)
Very difficult to change
Written and planned (Codified)
Allocates (gives) and limits powers (defines relationships, rights and duties of citizens and gov’t)

5. 4 parts of a constitution
Preamble
Bill of Rights
Institutions & offices of gov’t
Amendment procedures and amendments

6. What is a constitution cont.
7 Basic Principles
Rule of law – not arbitrary (random) rule by powerful people
Transfer of power - how leaders change
Separation of powers / checks and balances – separate branches of gov’t with clearly defined powers to avoid too much power anywhere
Relationship between gov’t & citizens – Bill of Rights. Rights/responsibilities of citizens and limits of power of gov’t

7. What is a constitution cont.
7 Basic Principles
Specifies who is ultimate authority in making / enforcing laws
Government accountability – how to keep gov’t accountable to its citizens
Final arbiter (to judge a dispute) – who resolves disputes about meaning of document and how / if it can be changed

8. Separation of Church and State
Government should not interfere with religion and vice-versa
John Locke: gov’t has no authority in individual conscience. Rational people cannot give control over religion to any gov’t as our own thoughts on religion (freedom of conscience) must be protected from gov’t authority

9. The Separation of Powers

10. The best way to create a limited gov’t that is accountable to the people is by dividing power and creating checks & balances so no one branch can become too powerful

11. The Executive Branch Decision making Implementation Coordination
Seems simple enough, but . . .
The executive branch is different in kinds of gov’t:
*In a Presidential System the directly elected president is both head of state & head of gov’t
*In a Parliamentary system the president is usually the head of state only (mostly symbolic) and the head of gov’t (a Prime Minister of Chancellor) has all the real power
*A head of state can be appointed but a head of gov’t in a democracy is always elected
The Executive Branch
Decision making
Initiates actions
Forms public policy (policies that are the basis for decisions)
Implementation
Runs departments and bureaucracies
Coordination
Makes sure every part of gov’t is working effectively
In Egypt:
President: Abdel Fattah ElSisi
Prime Minister: Sherif Ismail

12. Legislative Branch Law making body, discusses & passes legislation
Can be known by many names (parliament, assembly, chamber, house)
In a democracy its legitimacy comes from being directly elected
Uni-cameral or bi-cameral
In Egypt: (uni-cameral)
People’s Assembly
Shoura Council (used to have it)

13. Judicial Branch
Ultimate authority on interpretation of & application of the law
Makes sure gov’t can’t manipulate the constitution for its own interests
Judges paid well & appointed for life to avoid corruption
Judicial review: power of courts to be interpreter of the constitution & overturn executive & legislative action if its illegal or unconstitutional
Judicial Activism: Courts are very active in reviewing legislation and executive action
In Egypt: Supreme Constitutional Court, Court of Cassation, Court of Appeal, Court of First Instance, Court of Limited Jurisdiction, Family Court