State Identity in the Constitutions of European Countries

The provisions on the state identity of individual countries in Europe are usually set out in the introductory articles of their constitutions. These provisions are usually concise, comprising only a brief designation of state identity, but some constitutions include more extensive descriptions. State identity is primarily defined by referring to its form of government, but also by explicit claims pertaining to its democratic system, social justice, national independence, sovereignty, and the rule of law. Constitutions also specify that some European countries are nation-states, while others are civic states. In constitutions, states are also designated as unitary states or federations. Some European states recognize that their constitutional identity is, among other elements, based on the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. In most cases, there is a combination of plural components of a state’s identity, but the number of those elements may vary immensely.