Constitutionalism is the belief that a government should rest on a constitution: a set of basic rules that even the people in power must follow. It is more than “this country has a constitution.” A government can print a constitution and still ignore it. Constitutionalism says the constitution is the highest rule, leaders cannot simply do as they like, and people’s rights are not a present the government may take back when that is convenient.

ConstitutionalismConstitutionalism(憲政主義) is the belief是一種信念, that a government should rest on a constitution認為政府應該立基於一部憲法之上: a set of basic rules一套基本規則 that even the people in power must follow即使是掌權者也必須遵守. It is more than這不只是 "this country has a constitution."「這個國家有一部憲法」而已. A government can print a constitution政府可以印出一部憲法 and still ignore it卻依然無視它. Constitutionalism saysConstitutionalism主張 the constitution is the highest rule憲法是最高規則, leaders cannot simply do as they like領導人不能隨心所欲, and people's rights are not a present而人民的權利不是一份禮物 the government may take back when that is convenient政府方便的時候可以收回.

You will hear this word from lawyers, journalists, and people who study politics; it sounds formal, and it is not everyday kitchen talk. News uses it when courts, presidents, or parliaments argue about how far power may go.

You will hear this word你會從 from lawyers, journalists, and people who study politics律師、記者，以及研究政治的人口中聽到這個詞; it sounds formal它聽起來很正式, and it is not everyday kitchen talk不是日常廚房閒聊會用的話. News uses it新聞會用它 when courts, presidents, or parliaments argue當法院、總統或國會爭論 about how far power may go權力可以走多遠時.

It sits near “rule of law,” though actually that phrase is a little wider: rule of law is about everyone following the law, while constitutionalism is more specifically about the constitution standing above the government itself.

It sits near它跟 "rule of law"「rule of law(法治)」相近, though actually不過其實 that phrase is a little wider那個詞的範圍稍微廣一點: rule of law is about everyone following the lawrule of law講的是每個人都要守法, while constitutionalism is more specifically about而constitutionalism更specifically指的是 the constitution standing above the government itself憲法本身要凌駕於政府之上.