The Basic Law is the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Germany.
It is the most important legal basis for coexistence in Germany.
The Basic Law
Articles 1 to 19 of the Basic Law protect the fundamental rights of the individual towards the state. Particularly important fundamental rights are:
- Protection of Human dignity
- Right to live and personal interity
- Equality before law for all
- Freedom of Belief
- Freedom of speech
- Freedom of assembly
- Freedom of occupation
- Guarantee of property and inheritance law
- Freedom of the press
Article 20 describes the main principles on which the political system of the Federal Republic of Germany is built:
- The Federal State
- Democracy
- The Rule of law
- Welfare state
The Federal State
The Federal State of Germany contains 16 states:
- Baden-Württemberg
- Bavaria
- Berlin
- Brandenburg
- Bremen
- Hamburg
- Hesse
- Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
- Lower Saxony
- North Rhine-Westphalia
- Rhineland-Palatinate
- Saarland
- Saxony
- Saxony-Anhalt
- Schleswig-Holstein
- Thuringia
Democracy
Germany is a democratic country, which means that the all state power comes from the people by the ways listed below：
- Election
- Votes
- Legislative bodies (Parliament)
- Executive power (government and administration)
- Jurisdiction bodies (courts)
The parliament is called the Bundestag in Germany and is the elected representative of the people.
Germany is a state governed by the rule of law. The decisions of the state – the government – are bound by the law. The actions of the state may be controlled by courts. For example, the Federal Constitutional Court can check whether newly enacted laws are in accordance with the Constitution. This protects citizens' fundamental rights and regulates state action.
Welfare State
Germany is a welfare state. This means that, in principle, every citizen should provide for their own livelihood through work. However, the state helps people who are unable or only limited to secure their livelihoods on their own. There are a number of state social benefits. The most important are statutory social security and unemployment benefit II, but also child benefit.