CHAPTER 9 INSTITUTIONS

STUDY UNIT 1


CONSTITUTIONAL LAW IN CONTEXT

, SA CONSTITUTIONAL LAW IN
CONTEXT

Definition of a Constitution
• A constitution is the founding document
of a nation as the authority is derived
from it.
• It sets up the structures of government
and authorises the exercise of power by
elected branches of government and
the judiciary (including private
institutions and individuals).

, SA CONSTITUTIONAL LAW IN CONTEXT

• The constitution places limits on the
exercise of power and sets out the rules
according to which a country must be
governed.
• Constitutions represent a snapshot of
the hopes and dreams of a nation at the
time of writing of the Constitution.

, SA CONSTITUTIONAL LAW IN
CONTEXT
• One of the most important aspects of
constitutional law is the relationship
between the state and its citizens.
• Each individual is in a general
relationship with the state, in which
the individual obtains certain rights
and obligations that have to be
respected by the state.
• This general relationship is governed
by constitutional law.