ANTIQUE TRADITION AND ITS INFLUENCE ON THE IDEOLOGY OF CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMERS OF THE 18TH CENTURY

Abstract

The antique (Greek and Roman) tradition and its influence on the ideology of constitutional reformers of the XVIIIth century is considered. The emergence of the first constitutions during revolutionary changes is shown. Attention is drawn to the undeveloped theme in contemporary historical and legal scholarship. The experience of the USA and France at the end of the XVIIIth century is presented in the comparative analysis. Distinction is made between American liberalism and classical republicanism, affected by the political and philosophical thought of the antiquity. It is proved that the antique tradition of the times of revolutionary France had a radically different direction than the U.S. contitent. Some common features of experience of the American and French transfor-mations which were carried out under the notable influence of antique ideology are noted.