lagstiftadsstat

Lagstiftad stat, or a legislated state, is a political concept describing a state whose authority and governance are defined and constrained by law, particularly a written constitution and a system of statutory laws. In a lagstiftad stat, government power derives from the law and is limited by it; actions by the executive and legislature require legal authority, and officials can be held accountable for unlawful conduct.

Core features include a codified constitutional order, a formal legislative process, and mechanisms that uphold the rule of law. The separation of powers—legislature, executive, and judiciary—enhances checks and balances. Judicial review allows courts to assess legislation and executive actions against the constitution or higher law. Rights protections, due process, and regular elections support accountability and legitimacy. Administrative agencies typically operate within statutory mandates and are subject to oversight and control.

Context and variations: The term emphasizes the primacy of statutes over discretionary rule by rulers. Many liberal democracies are described as lagstiftade stater, especially when a written constitution and comprehensive statutes govern public power. In other systems, unwritten conventions may supplement statutes while still supporting a law-based governance framework. The concept is used in comparative politics to distinguish rule-of-law-based governance from personal rule or regimes relying on emergency powers.

See also: rule of law, constitutional democracy, separation of powers, constitutional supremacy.