A constitution is a set of fundamental laws that determine how a country or state is run. It is the rule book for a state that sets out the fundamental principles by which the state is governed. The constitution describes the main institutions of the state and defines the relationship of people with governments. It is a political frame based on which principles or laws of a country are formulated. The rights and duties of citizens are described under the constitution.

Constitutions usually include the following basic elements:

• Preamble: describes the purpose of the document and the Federal Government.
• Articles: establish how the Government is structured and how the Constitution can be changed.
• Amendments: list changes to the Constitution.

Most countries have the rule book codified in a single document, known as a codified (or written) constitution. Codified constitutions contain fundamental, superior law, and are harder to amend than ordinary law. Constitutional change typically involves approval by a super-majority in the legislature, or a referendum, or sometimes both.

The Constitution of the United States is the foundation of the Federal Government. It is often called the supreme law of the land, and no law may be passed that contradicts its principles. The Constitution established a Federal democratic republic, which is the system of the Federal Government. It is democratic because the people govern themselves, and it is a republic because the Government’s power is derived from its people. The purpose of the Federal Government is to establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.

In summary, a constitution is a set of fundamental laws that determine how a country or state is run. It is the rule book for a state that sets out the fundamental principles by which the state is governed. Constitutions usually include the Preamble, Articles, and Amendments. Most countries have the rule book codified in a single document, known as a codified (or written) constitution. The Constitution of the United States is the foundation of the Federal Government, and it established a Federal democratic republic.