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What does the term 'constitution' refer to?

  1. Set of treaties

  2. Set of principles by which a country is governed

  3. Collection of laws only

  4. Type of government

The correct answer is: Set of principles by which a country is governed

The term 'constitution' primarily refers to a set of principles by which a country is governed. This encompasses the fundamental laws, regulations, and guidelines that outline how a state operates, the powers and duties of government institutions, and the rights of citizens. Essentially, the constitution serves as the supreme legal authority within a country, establishing the framework for the law, the structure of government, and the relationship between the state and its citizens. While treaties, laws, and types of government are important aspects of governance, they do not comprehensively capture the essence of what a constitution is. Treaties may form part of a country's legal obligations but are not foundational in the way a constitution is. Similarly, while a collection of laws can exist within a legal framework, the constitution provides the overarching principles that unify these laws. A type of government refers generally to the system in place (such as democracy or monarchy) but does not define the constitutive principles that govern that system or how power is exercised within it.