Introduction
In this introduction, the author explains the meaning of the term “constitution” in his writings, and why he should so define it and use it. He begins by discussing some constitutions that people in general and even legal specialists believed to be reasonably good, even as they failed to maintain their states when faced with major problems. He cites the Weimar Constitution, which was unable to prevent the rise of the Third Reich and the disaster that befell the German people. The author argues that, even if the Weimar Constitution had allowed for judicial review, it could not have saved Germany. He also considers the features of an effective constitution and whether the constitution of historical China is a constitutional law that can be put into practice. Finally, he examines the historic geoclimatic conditions to which ancient China was responding and the special nature of the constitution it created in response.