Magazine / Press Article
Public Opinion and the Constitution
Original title (French): L'opinion publique et la Constitution
Written in French — title, summary and keywords translated
Keywords
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Abstract
Benoit Frydman argues that, despite their explicit absence from the Belgian Constitution, public opinion and civil society constitute the intimate foundation of modern constitutional democracy. This foundation rests on three essential pillars: the principle of publicity requiring the publication of all State acts, the constitutional guarantees of fundamental freedoms protecting free public debate and freedom of association, as well as freedom of the press. Together, these principles establish a constitutional framework allowing for the permanent control and oversight of public authorities. Benoit Frydman highlights this framework through a historical and contemporary analysis, contrasting constitutional ideals with their frequent violation in practice, particularly during secret political negotiations and through the judicial censorship of political criticism.
Read the summary in the original language (French)
Benoit Frydman soutient que, malgré leur absence explicite dans la Constitution belge, l'opinion publique et la société civile constituent le fondement intime de la démocratie constitutionnelle moderne. Ce fondement repose sur trois piliers essentiels : le principe de publicité exigeant la publication de tous les actes de l'État, les garanties constitutionnelles des libertés fondamentales protégeant le libre débat public et la liberté d'association, ainsi que la liberté de la presse. Ensemble, ces principes établissent un cadre constitutionnel permettant le contrôle et la surveillance permanents des pouvoirs publics. Benoit Frydman met en évidence ce cadre par une analyse historique et contemporaine, opposant les idéaux constitutionnels à leur violation fréquente dans la pratique, notamment lors de négociations politiques secrètes et par la censure judiciaire des critiques politiques.
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Cite this work
« L'opinion publique et la Constitution », IEJ, 2000.
@article{frydman_2000_opinion_publique_constitution,
author = {Frydman, Benoit},
title = {L'opinion publique et la Constitution},
publisher = {IEJ},
year = {2000}
}
TY - JOUR AU - Frydman, Benoit TI - L'opinion publique et la Constitution PB - IEJ PY - 2000 ER -
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