ABSTRACT
Constitutional law is concerned with the role and powers of the institutions within the state and with the relationship between the citizen and the state. The study of the constitution of the United Kingdom involves acquiring an understanding of a variety of historical, legal, philosophical and political factors which have, over the centuries, shaped the organisation of the state. A written constitution is one contained within a single document or a series of documents, with or without amendments, defining the basic rules of the state. A republic is a state having as its figurehead a (usually) democratically elected President, answerable to the electorate and to the constitution. Presidential office is both a symbol of statehood and the repository of many powers. 'Constitutionalism' is the doctrine which governs the legitimacy of government action. The majority of constitutions around the world are in written form and their origins can be traced to a specific date in history.
