Terms in this set (6)

Article Seven of the United States Constitution sets the number of state ratifications necessary in order for the Constitution to take effect and prescribes the method through which the states may ratify it. Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution, doing so on December 7, 1787.

The Constitution is divided into seven articles, or divisions, each addressing a different topic. Each article is divided into sections.

• “form a more perfect union” Create a nation where states work together.
• “establish justice” Make laws and courts that are fair.
• “Ensure domestic tranquility”
• “Provide for the common defense”
• “Promote the general welfare”
• “Secure the blessings of liberty”

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, 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, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of …

The objectives in the Preamble are just a part of basic structure of the Constitution and nothing more than that. So, Preamble cannot be amended so as to destroy the objectives, but also cannot be used as a law to judge people on.

The preamble being part of the Constitution is discussed several times in the Supreme Court. Through the Berubari case, the Court stated that ‘Preamble is the key to open the mind of the makers’ but it can not be considered as part of the Constitution. Therefore it is not enforceable in a court of law.

Explanation: Preamble is neither a source of power to legislature nor a prohibition upon the powers of legislature. Preamble is non-justiciable that is its provisions are not enforceable in courts of law.

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Freedom of expression, religious freedom, right to equality, social justice and community values are the main tenets of the Indian Constitution.

It embodies the source of the Constitution i.e., the people of India. The terms sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic, republic in the Preamble suggests the nature of the state. The ideals of justice, liberty, equality, fraternity reflects the objectives of the Constitution.