(Wydawnictwo Naukowe Instytutu Filozofii, 2013) Młynarska-Sobaczewska, Anna
Preambles are parts of constitutions, which are visibly neglected
in legal theory and constitutional law. They are defined as solemn
introductions to constitutions, which indicate the sovereign,
historical and political context of increasing the new constitutional
order, main aims and principles – the foundation of constitution.
Such elements are also commonly apparent in most of post-communist
constitutions of European states.
The article shows the integrative function of these preambles,
achieved by using clauses creating and maintaining the identity
of political community. The clauses with this function are identified
as: statements regarding national and cultural heritage,
declaration of sovereign as people or nation, and expression of common
aims and fundamental principles of community. The article
investigates these elements in texts of preambles to post-communist
constitutions and indicates their role as tending to create the
national identity.