Constitutional systems of Serbia and Greece on the eve of the World War One
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Abstract
The subject-matter of this paper is a comparative analysis of the constitutional systems of Serbia in 1903 and that of Greece in 1911. After analyzing the matter, it is demonstrated that these two states in the Balkans, that
“Damned Peninsula” and a “soft belly” of Europe, in spite of numerous internal and external difficulties, have been successful in establishing a democratic
order that was based on the idea of a modem state, meaning the sovereignty
of the people, respect for human rights, a representative government, separation of power. Following is the order of the analysis: constitutional rights of citizens, the structure of state power and finally, the most significant constitutional factors: the King as an element of bicephalous legislation and executive, parliament as a protagonist of legislative power, ministers as most important segments of executive power, courts as protagonists of judicial power, and finally, the local self-government. Council of State and the matter of amending the constitution have been also considered. On the ground of this analysis, the conclusion is that both Serbia and Greece have entered 20th century as democratic states, naturally, within the conditions that have existed in the Balkans at that time.
“Damned Peninsula” and a “soft belly” of Europe, in spite of numerous internal and external difficulties, have been successful in establishing a democratic
order that was based on the idea of a modem state, meaning the sovereignty
of the people, respect for human rights, a representative government, separation of power. Following is the order of the analysis: constitutional rights of citizens, the structure of state power and finally, the most significant constitutional factors: the King as an element of bicephalous legislation and executive, parliament as a protagonist of legislative power, ministers as most important segments of executive power, courts as protagonists of judicial power, and finally, the local self-government. Council of State and the matter of amending the constitution have been also considered. On the ground of this analysis, the conclusion is that both Serbia and Greece have entered 20th century as democratic states, naturally, within the conditions that have existed in the Balkans at that time.
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