The Weimar Constitution

Abstract

The revolution of 1918 produced the basic decisions of Germany’s National Assembly in the Weimar Constitution: for parliamentary democracy, a more centralized state, and basic rights—including social rights. The National Assembly sought a form of parliamentary democracy that would ensure both stability and democratic change. It rejected both American presidentialism and French parliamentarianism in favour of a hybrid that balanced a president directly elected by the people with a strong Reichstag composed of representatives elected by proportional voting. The president’s emergency powers could be used if the Reichstag were divided to stabilize democracy, while the Reichstag had the power to rescind emergency acts and to remove the government. The constitution’s section on basic rights was extensive, eventually including fifty-seven articles. Among them were individual rights, the rights of family and youth, religious rights, and labour rights. The aim was a ‘social catechism’ of ethical and social aims that could unite the nation. The Weimar Constitution opened up democratic possibilities for Germany. The fact that its opponents were able to use its framework to undermine the Reichstag and to bring about democracy’s demise is a matter of politics and political culture rather than a matter of constitutional structure.