64 years ago today, the German Constitution – Grundgesetz or Basic Law – went into effect. Approved by the Allies of World War II, its preamble states:
Conscious of their responsibility before God and man, Inspired by the determination to promote world peace as an equal partner in a united Europe, the German people, in the exercise of their constituent power, have adopted this Basic Law. (…)
Articles 1 through 19 GG are the Basic Rights, beginning with the Guarantee of Human Dignity in Article 1 I GG:
Human dignity shall be inviolable. To respect and protect it shall be the duty of all state authority.
This article, along with the principles of democracy, federalism, and others, is protected by the Eternity Clause, Article 79 III GG – they cannot be changed, not even by the two-thirds majority usually needed for changes to the Constitution.
The success of this Constitution was made possible by the Western Allies. This is why we do not only say „Happy Birthday, Grundgesetz“ today but „Thank You, Allies“ as well.
Further Reading
- Official English Translation
- Introduction to the German Basic Law on Jurispedia
- For German-language books and essays on the US constitution as well as comparative law, see the list of publications by German constitutional scholar Winfried Brugger.
64 years ago today, the German Constitution – Grundgesetz or Basic Law – went into effect. Approved by the Allies of World War II, its preamble states:
Conscious of their responsibility before God and man, Inspired by the determination to promote world peace as an equal partner in a united Europe, the German people, in the exercise of their constituent power, have adopted this Basic Law. (…)
The first part of the Constitution, Articles 1 through 19 GG, are the Basic Rights, beginning with the Guarantee of Human Dignity in Article 1 I GG:
Human dignity shall be inviolable. To respect and protect it shall be the duty of all state authority.
This article, along with the principles of democracy, federalism, and others is protected by the Eternity Clause, Article 79 III GG – they cannot be changed, not even by a two-thirds majority usually needed for changes to the Constitution.
The success of this Constitution was made possible by the Western Allies. This is why we do not only say „Happy Birthday, Grundgesetz“ today but „Thank You, Allies“ as well.
Further Reading
- Official English Translation
- Introduction to the German Basic Law on Jurispedia
- For German-language books and essays on the US constitution as well as comparative law, see the list of publications by German constitutional scholar Winfried Brugger.