REFLECTIONS ON THE TOTEMIC MEANING OF THE CONSTITUTION
Jarosław Szymanek
Studia Politica Slovaca, 2026, vol. 19, no. 1, p. 5-22
Language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.31577/SPS.2026-1.1
Abstract
This article addresses the perception of the constitution in democratic political systems as a totem. As demonstrated, this almost religious perception of the constitution results from many factors. The first was the process of secularization and laicization, which, in place of the abolished religions appropriate to a religious state, created a vacuum quickly filled by a constitution perceived as a “Decalogue,” a “Bible,” or a sacred symbol in a democracy. This was linked to another factor: the idealization of the constitution. As a result, the constitution is often perceived as a perfect, ideal, and the best possible act, which further strengthens the belief that it should be amended only in truly exceptional circumstances. Another factor is the very strong correlation between the constitution and the state, and the recognition of an inextricable link between the two. All of this makes the constitution a totem, including the state, the perfect act, the social contract, the ideal political system, or, for example, democracy.
Keywords
constitution, sacralization, community, state, democratic society
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