CONSTITUTIONALISM IN TEACHING OF «HISTORY OF STATE AND LAW OF UKRAINE» (АNTIQUITY AND THE MIDDLE AGES)

Abstract

History of State and law of Ukraine can be considered as one of the leading academic disciplines for modern lawyers. Its purpose is to familiarize professionals with the historical experience of the development of statehood on the territory of modern Ukraine that directly or indirectly impacts the current status and the quality of the public authority in our country, the relationship between the State and citizens, the situation in Ukraine in the international arena, its image in the world, etc. 

The role of history of State and law of Ukraine here is mapping the processes of historical evolution of human relationships and the State of modern Ukrainian territory. This includes compliance with State rights, in particular political struggle of people for their rights both peacefully and violently (through armed revolt against the authorities) etc. In this connection, training courses and research on history of State and law of Ukraine should pay significant attention to the evolution of public authorities as a result of the struggle of people for their rights.

Thus, the purpose of the article is to cover the history of constitutionalism on the territory of modern Ukraine in premodern period of development of the Ukrainian State and law. The task is to disclose the relationship of history of State and law and constitutional law of Ukraine through the analysis of the content of State legislative acts, which served as constitutions for the population that inhabited Ukrainian lands at that time in various states.

Thus, below we specify our findings from the current research and prospects of further research:

1. Teaching History of constitutionalism in the training course «History of State and law of Ukraine» must conform to the Constitution of Ukraine as the Main Law of the State and the benchmark for social activities.

2. Teaching History of constitutionalism in the training course «History of State and law of Ukraine» gives an opportunity to examine the historical evolution of the idea of the limit and self-restriction of State power in favor of the rights of its citizens. It is not just because of the rich historical tradition of constitutionalism on the territory of modern Ukraine, but due to the ability of our ancestors to live in the conditions of observance to the law and maintenance of order in society and the State by civilized ways.

3. The prospects of subsequent scientific researches in this field, to our opinion, are the following: a) research of history of constitutionalism in separate states on the territory of modern Ukraine; b) research of certain problems and periods of history of constitutionalism in Ukraine.