Includes bibliographical references and index.

Absolute concept of the constitution (the constitution as unified whole) -- Relative concept of the constitution (the constitution as a multitude of individual laws) -- The positive concept of the constitution (the constitution as the complete decision over the type and form of the political unity) -- Ideal concept of the constitution ("constitution" in an exemplary sense, thus named because of a certain content) -- The meanings of the term "basic law," basic norm or Lex fundamentalis (summarizing overview) -- Origin of the constitution -- The constitution as contract (the genuine constitutional contract) -- The constitution-making power -- Legitimacy of a constitution -- Consequences of the theory of the constitution-making power, of the people's constitution-making power in particular -- Concepts derived from the concept of the constitution (constitutional change, statutory violation of the constitution, constitutional suspension, constitutional dispute, high treason) -- The principles of the Bourgeois Rechtsstaat -- The Rechtsstaat concept of law -- The basic rights -- Separation (so-called division) of powers -- Bourgeois Rechtsstaat and political form -- The theory of democracy, fundamental concepts -- The people and the democratic constitution -- Consequences of the political principle of democracy -- Application of the political principle of democracy to individual areas of state life -- Boundaries of democracy -- The theory of monarchy -- Aristocratic elements in modern Bourgeois-Rechtsstaat constitutions -- The parliamentary system -- Historical overview of the development of the parliamentary system -- Overview of the possibilities for the formation of the parliamentary system -- The parliamentary system of the Weimar constitution -- Dissolution of Parliament -- Fundamental concepts of a constitutional theory of the federation -- Consequences of the fundamental concepts of the constitutional theory of the federation -- Appendix: The Weimar constitution.

Translated from the German.