Constitutional aspects of the Weimar Republic in the historical and comparative perspective

Abstract

The history of the Weimar Republic begun in last months of World War I. After war the new constitution was enacted. The name of a state: “Weimar Republic” is given by historians. The main purpose of this article is to present political system of Republic in the perspective of comparative law and history of law. In the history of forms of government in the interwar period, there is distinction between two categories “old” and “new” democratic political systems. The Weimar Republic belong to “new” category. It cause some dissimilarities and practical problems (e.g. during economic crisis). The paper presents characteristic of constitution, general principles, etc. Very important to emphasize are elements of direct democracy (referendum). Constitution used achievements of other countries, especially from French Third Republic (parliamentary republic), United States of America (presidential system, federal government) and United Kingdom. The article consider territorial structure, constitutional authority (legislature, executive and judiciary) and its historical basis and comparison with another examples. In addition, there are presented some unique issues, like political responsibility of the president, or administrative courts. There are opinions, that the Weimar constitution was the most progressive in the interbellum period.