Pages

Ads 468x60px

AD

Magna Carta Anniversary - The Birth Of Democracy

By Young Lindsay


Magna Carta was written by 40 rebellious barons back in thirteenth century, to protect their rights and properties against a tyrannical King John. It was sealed by King John on June 15, 1215. With Magna Carta Anniversary approaching, it's time to remember why this extraordinary document is so important for the development of democracy, among other things.

Although it was designed to protect rights and properties of English aristocracy, there are two really important principles expressed in this document that shaped the entire history. The first one says that no man cannot be prosecuted or deprived of the rights and freedoms, or harmed in any other way, by anyone's will, except by the law. This principle is now contained in the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution.

Clause 40 contains one very important sentence. It says that all people have rights and the right on justice. No man is above the Law, not even a king. These essential principles are embedded into the law. During the American Revolution, these laws were used for asserting the liberty from the English crown. The same rights are the foundation for the Constitution, and guaranteed by it.

When it comes to democracy, this is probably the most valuable document ever written. This was the first written constitution, and it was the first time that it was evident that even the king cannot be above the law, in this case the Common Law. These two famous clauses, 39 and 40, are the most important contribution of Great Britain. That is why this anniversary is actually celebrating the birth of democracy.

Sealing the Great Chapter, King John placed himself within a rule of law, but also all future sovereigns of England. The document itself was used as a base for designing the English Common Law. A charter of liberties made it possible for the United States to require their freedom and independence from the English crown.

The Great Charter is definitely a symbol of freedom under law. Although it was actually sealed on June 15, 1215, this first document was called the Articles of the Barons. The King and the barons issued a formal version four days later, on June 19, 1215. Even its goal was to prevent the war, a civil war happened within three months. The final version of this charter of liberties was issued in 1225.

The original version of this document was written in Latin. Although there were 63 clauses, two of them are especially important. Clause 39 and clause 40 contain the basic human rights and freedoms under the law. These basic principles are contained in future legal systems in both Great Britain and America, and essential for the development of democracy known today.

Two main documents that are based on these two clauses are the Bill of Rights and the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution. Written eight centuries ago, Magna Carta deserves to be celebrated as the most important document for the development of modern, democratic systems. Basic human freedoms and rights under the Law are guaranteed by this Great Charter, and it should be valued appropriately.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment

 

AD4

AD5

AD7

 
Blogger Templates