The Constitution and the Court- Sentinel on the Qui Vive

Abstract

The advent of democracy and limited government heralded the ' State' and transformed the status of the governed to citizens. Constitutions provide the means to guard against the States' capacity for invading the liberties available and guaranteed to all civilized people. A modem constitution empowers citizens and also controls and disciplines power. By defining competences and entrenching rights the constitution limits powers and protects liberties. It unfolds a vision and a goal and charts a nuanced path for its realization.