ústavy

Ústavy are the fundamental legal documents or sets of principles that define how a state is governed, establish the structure and powers of government, regulate relationships between state organs, and protect the basic rights of citizens. They serve as the supreme law in many legal systems and can be codified in one or several documents, or are embedded in a broader constitutional framework.

Constitutions differ in form. Some are written, codified documents, often clearly delineating branches of government, rights, and amendment rules, as in the United States or India. Others are unwritten or uncodified, relying on statutes, common law, and conventions, as in the United Kingdom. Some countries have flexible constitutions that can be amended easily, while others are rigid, requiring broad consensus or special majorities.

Core features commonly found in ústavy include popular sovereignty, separation of powers, the rule of law, protection of fundamental rights, an independent judiciary or constitutional court, and mechanisms for constitutional change. Many also define federal versus unitary structures, the status of regions, and the relationship between citizens and state institutions.

Historical development: The idea of a basic constitutional framework evolved from medieval charters and social-contract theories to modern state constitutions. Key themes include limiting sovereign power, guaranteeing rights, and clarifying government authority. In modern democracies, constitutions are interpretive, with courts adjudicating constitutional disputes.

In Czech usage, ústava is the singular term for constitution, and ústavy is the plural form used in reference to multiple constitutions.