Preambles of Constitutions: Current State of Academic Research
Abstract
The purpose of the article is to analyze the prevailing and identify currently emerging approaches to the interpretation of the provisions of the preambles of modern constitutions. To identify the relationships and patterns of development of scientific knowledge about the preambles of constitutions, a comparative method was used. Features of the preambles of constitutions as an object of scientific research are shown. It is determined which aspects of the preambles most often are an object of exploration. The main research discussions conducted regarding the content and meaning of the preambles are characterized. The author focuses on the state of research on three interrelated problems: the origin of the preambles of constitutions, their content and legal nature. The analysis of the origin of the preambles of constitutions carried out in the article was used to identify the origins of the currently observed diversity of their content and their modern role in constitutional regulation. It is shown what features of the first constitutions became the basis for the development of the content of the preambles of later constitutions. Due to the significant diversity of the content of modern constitutions, scientists are trying to identify common features of the provisions of their preambles. The types of classifications developed to date for the content of preambles of constitutions are shown. It was revealed that their variability depends on the regional affiliation of the constitutions selected for analysis, and on the number of constitutions considered. The decision on the legal force of the preamble is predetermined by the peculiarities of the content and wording of the provisions of the preambles of the constitutions, the prevailing doctrinal approach, as well as the position of the constitutional control bodies, which may change from the denial of the legal force of the preamble to its recognition. The main options for approaches of constitutional control bodies to the issue of the legal force of constitutions are described. According to the author, the current changes in the role and meaning of the preambles of constitutions are predetermined primarily by the fact that, along with traditional components, they include new ideas and principles significant for the state and society, derived from international law and from the constitutions of other countries.
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