The Importance of Constitutions

TRANSCRIPT:

The history of civilization is wrought with wars, upheavals, and the rise and fall of governments and empires.

In modern history, however, many nations have established greater stability and peace by adopting written constitutions that protect people’s rights and define the functions and powers of government. This brings us to Just Facts’ Question of the Week:

Which nation has the longest-standing written constitution of all nations in the world?

A. Greece
B. Thailand
C. The United States

You may exercise your right to answer.

The answer is “C. The United States.”

According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, the Constitution of the United States of America is the “oldest written national constitution in use” anywhere in the world.

It goes on to say that the U.S. Constitution “has served as a model for other countries, its provisions being widely imitated in national constitutions throughout the world.”

In the words of James Madison, the “Father of the Constitution, “If men were angels, no government would be necessary.” Hence, we “must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself.”

SOURCES: https://www.justfacts.com/constitution.asp