POLS 1200 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Ivan Rand
24 Nov 2017
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Rule of law: one of the most important aspects of constitutional law. Developed in england; determined that the king had no powers other than what was given to him in law. Constituion regulates the government, ultimate rule of law. Have political rights= allowed to participate in government; rights to vote, etc. Also have civil rights and freedoms, right to liberty, freedom of speech. Protected in these rights and freedoms because of the rule of law. Political leaders do not have the right to rewrite the constitution. Everyone is equal before the law; no one is above the law; subject to the law; every decision must be made according to the law; decisions must be made impartially. Important because we have rights/freedoms that government officials can"t infringe upon. Before there was a written constitution, there were very limited ways courts could address rights/freedoms; minorities had very few protection. Post-wwii in quebec; discrimination against jehovah witnesses- quebec government very hostile towards them.
