WARTOŚCI EUROPEJSKIE W KONSTYTUCJI 3 MAJA Z 1791 ROKU
EUROPEAN VALUES IN THE CONSTITUTION OF MAY 3RD, 1791

Summary/Abstract: An example of integrative tendencies in Central and Eastern Europę was the Polish-Lithuanian Common-wealth, which was the first state in this part of Europę to attempt to apply the democratic principles based on the experience of the Athenian democracy as a form of government. Apart from political and economic considerations, a philosophical and morał aspect i.e. the sphere of values plays an important role in European integrative undertakings. The aim of this paper is to analyze universal threads making up the values, today not only referred to as European, but also recorded as such in the European Union treaties. The author was interested in the issue of continuity of understanding and practising of the values on which both the Government Act of May 3rd, 1791 and the 20th century European integration was founded. These values comprise respect for human dignity, the ideas of freedom, democracy, equality, rule of law as well as respect for human rights. The issue of continuity of understanding and practising of the European values has been presented through analysis of selected articles of the European Union treaties and democratic principles proposed by the first European constitution. The analysis shows both the common roots and the evolution of understanding of the particular values and widening of their scope in European socio-political practice.

• Details
• Contents