You and I know that the constitution of any country sets out the powers and duties of its government, but, at the same time, guarantees the fundamental rights of its citizens. In modern societies those rights follow (or should follow) The Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Even if, for argument's sake, you were to exclude from the equation façade constitutions (which, in today's world, are in no insignificant number), you would still have to contend with the fact that, in traditionally serious democracies, governments have, over a period of decades, methodically been making dangerous inroads into the rights of citizens. It is undeniable that, in general and with some exceptions, people are less free today than what they were, say, 50 or 60 years ago.
It is erroneous to think that freedom inevitably equals one man, one vote. That would hold true if that curious little invention called the ballot box was not the bosom friend of the electoral promise. When you promise the Moon, you always end up with larger governments. In some countries, the weight of the State in the economy is already half of GDP. The result? Higher taxes. Between direct and indirect taxation, in some parts of the world citizens pay 50% of their income. Now, is that not a form of slavery? Have a look at what Article 4 of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights has to say about slavery.
You also thought that, with the end of the Cold War and the fall of the Berlin Wall, you would be able to take a deep breath. Wrong! Today there are more government agencies spying on you than at the height of the conflict with the Soviet Union. The excuse? Terrorism and drug cartels. Have a look at what Article 12 of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights has to say about the right to privacy. Unfortunately, Big Brother is no longer just a television reality show.
At the end of my lengthy discourse, I can sense you asking me: do constitutional courts not prevent this permanent encroachment into individual freedom? Well, my friend, legalese is pretty much like theology: it always has a way of explaining the unexplainable. In the end, it all boils down to semantics. In plain English: deceptive arguments.
Take the UK, for example. If, like his predecessors, Mr. Cameron continues to trash the constitution, albeit in a civilised way, very soon all that there will be left for British citizens to enjoy is the Changing of the Guard. May God save the Queen!
