The Permanent Syrian Constitution of March 13, 1973
The Permanent Syrian Constitution of March 13, 1973
Key takeaways
Bibliography: Heller, P., 1974. The Permanent Syrian Constitution of March 13, 1973. Middle East Journal 28.
Authors:: Peter Heller
Collections:: Arab-Israeli Conflict
First-page:
content: "@hellerPermanentSyrianConstitution1974" -file:@hellerPermanentSyrianConstitution1974
Reading notes
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Last exercise in Syrian constitution writing came to fruition on March 13, 1973 following its approval by the People's Assembly on January 31 and by referendum on March 12
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Oligarchic nature is perhaps more evident now and allied with the Ba'athist Arab Socialist Party whose role is once again to select the candidate for the presidency
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1973 constitution calls for a 7 year presidential term
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Appoints the cabinet, convenes and dissolves the legislature, rules by decree, call for binding public referendums, appoint five members of the high constitutional court, a constitutional amendment requires presidential approval
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The People's assembly; holds a four year term, can vote any minister out of cabinet office
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The system is still called a planned socialist economy in which private property is still allowed
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Head of state must be Muslim, Islamic fiqh is the principal source of legislation
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Concession by the Ba'athists who wish to secularise
Preamble
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Notes that the role of Syria in the edification of human civilisation was a vitally important one
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Was disrupted by a weakened homogenisation that allowed colonisers to intervene
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Masses perceive independence to be a means to reinforce struggle against; colonialism, Zionism, and exploitation in the names of unity, liberty, and socialism
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Rehabilitation of the party in the 1970s reflected the change within the people
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Arab unity is at the heart of Syria, enhanced by join Arab struggle against colonialism, Zionism, regionalism, and separatism
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Socialist party developed national progressive fronts
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The constitution is based on the following major premises:
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The global Arab revolution to realise the Arab nation and Syria requires itself to fully support the Arab revolution
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Fragmentation is what has led to the failings of Syria in the past, unity is the way forward
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Progress for the establishment of socialism is a necessity for using all Arab means against Zionism and imperialism
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Freedom is a sacred right and popular democracy is the model that guarantees this
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Arab revolutionary movement constitutes a fundamental part of the world liberation movement
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The struggle of our movement is the struggle of all
Notes on the Constitution proper
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Marxist-Leninist (Vanguard party)
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Also establishes a form of democratic centrality- faith must be given to the vanguard
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Installs Islamic culture into the constitutions
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Legal frameworks, oaths to god
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Armed forces swear allegiance to the revolution
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Attempts to claim socialist planned economy, allows private property
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Also allows inheritance