The Modern State

I. The State as the Modern Terrain of Liberal Democracy

1)   Origin – 1648?

2)   Modern State as depersonalized state

a.    Sovereignty

b.   Offices and institutions

c.    Bureaucratic and rational

II. Constitutional Backbone

1)   Constitution as extraordinary legal document

2)   Intentionally difficult amendment process

3)   4 objectives of constitutions

a.    Establish institutions and offices

b.   Convey relationships between institutions and offices

c.    Convey relationships between institutions and citizenry

d.   Convey relationships between citizens

III. Constitutions and the Political

1)   Constitutions vs. Conventions

IV. Constitutional Structures

1)   Legislative

2)   Executive

3)   Judicial