State Objectives

While the general theory of the state (Allgemeine Staatslehre) of the 19th century tried to identify a very small number of State Purposes (Staatszwecke) that were — by the presumably immutable “nature” of the concept “state” — necessary features of every state (e.g., security, welfare), contemporary constitutionalism mostly relies on a large number of divers goals as specified within the constitution. These goals are legally binding, but only in the indeterminate way of guidelines for the interpretation of more specific rights, duties, and organizational precepts within the constitution. They are usually mentioned among the foundational provisions at the top of a constitutional document.

• Justice
• Human Rights
• National Autonomy
• Self-Determination
• Health Care
• Social Welfare
• National Unity
• Culture
• History
• Environment
• Forests
• Intergenerational Equity: the German Constitution states that the country, also in its responsibility for future generations (Intergenerational Equity), protects the natural foundations of life and the animals in the framework of the constitutional order, by legislation and, according to law and justice, by executive and judiciary.
• Nature
• Nature’s Rights
• Morality
• Civic Virtues
• Family Planning
• Peace
• Decentralization
• Self-Government
• Unification