The Constitution is the fundamental law of any state. It regulates its political structure, the powers of various branches of government, the timing and order of their succession. The constitution also clearly defines the rights, freedoms and duties of citizens of the state, indicates how and under what conditions changes can be made to the constitution itself.
It would seem that any sane and capable person should know this basic law if not by heart (this is hardly possible even for a qualified lawyer), then at least in general terms. In practice, alas, everything is different. Too many people do not consider it necessary to study the contents of the constitution. The reasons for this are very different: from banal laziness to disbelief that knowledge of the basic law can at least help in some way. One often hears: they say that we are small people, what difference does it know or don’t know, nothing depends on us! But this is fundamentally wrong and even harmful position. Everyone should know their basic law. Very often one has to deal with unscrupulous officials at all levels who are trying, under one pretext or another, to refuse a citizen his legitimate request. Practice shows that if you start talking to them in the language of the law, clearly referring to certain articles, then their behavior immediately changes. Or, suppose, it is often necessary to deal with those law enforcement officials from whom these very bodies must be protected. For example, many Moscow police officers (now police officers) have become accustomed to collecting "tribute" from those citizens of Russia who do not have Moscow registration, frightening them by holding them accountable for an alleged violation. Practice shows that a decisive refusal with reference to an article of the constitution guaranteeing freedom of movement across the territory of the Russian Federation immediately discouraged their desire for "free" money. They preferred not to get involved with a person who knows the laws. In the end, any person simply needs to know their rights and responsibilities! At a minimum, in order to understand what he has the right to ask (or demand), and what the state, in the person of authorized bodies, can already demand from him. And if a citizen considers that a particular law or normative act is contrary to the Constitution and infringes on his rights and freedoms, he may appeal to the Constitutional Court with a claim to invalidate such a law or normative act, subject to correction or cancellation. And there have been such precedents, and more than once.
