Submission 4
CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF BARBADOS
Preamble (Proposed)
“We The Citizens of Barbados, Independently Assembled no longer in another’s Colonial Collective, and never again to be captured, shackled and enslaved in the holds of history’s inhumanity, but by choice now free bound each to other, do herein inscribe these words describe those values we hold dear.
For Governance with transparency, vision, honor, integrity; for Justice with immediacy, balance, truth, humanity; for measures equal - accountability, spirits shared - responsibility; for pride with industry the continuity of Community and security of our Society; for the environmental stability through harmony with technology; for voices heard plurality and decided decency own Divinity; for the welcomed birth with identity, healthy life with opportunity, peaceful death with dignity and a lasting legacy of progeny left prosperity: It’s for the unity of Country and this Social Democracy that We The People Of Barbados do hereby establish and affirm this our Supreme Law, The Constitution of Barbados”.
After looking at a number of Constitutions, I arrived at the following conclusions regarding the Preamble.
It should be personal. Relating to and evolving in some way from the journey the particular country took to get there.
It reflects and attempts to address the most important issues that are of major concern to the country at the time of writing. The South African Constitution is to me a good example of this.
It attempts to establish best practices and (honorable) objectives and rules for both those who govern and are governed.
It should be relatable. The citizen should be easily able to see themselves and their wishes reflected in not only the drafting, but the very structures and reasoning and protections offered in and guaranteed by the Constitution.
It should not be too long and unwinding. Written in (simple) language and not the legalese that only lawyers would be comfortable with.
It should be memorable and inspirational. That is the biggest strength I believe of the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution that has allowed it to survive and still often be quoted for as long as it has been.
For reference:
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Preamble (1787)
“We the People of the United States in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America”.
WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN, SOCIALIST, SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens:
JUSTICE, social, economic and political;
LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship;
EQUALITY of status and of opportunity; and to promote among them all FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation;
IN IUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twenty-#0sixth day of November, 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION.
