What does the Constitution establish?

The Constitution establishes a framework of government and defines the rights of citizens by outlining the structure of the government, the powers of its various branches, and the relationship between the federal government and the states. It sets forth the foundational principles of democracy, including individual rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and assembly.

The Constitution is pivotal in delineating the balance of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government, ensuring that no single entity has absolute authority. It also contains the Bill of Rights, which explicitly enumerates protections for individual liberties, thereby serving as a safeguard against government overreach.

While the other responses touch on important aspects of governance, they do not encompass the broader and more fundamental role that the Constitution plays in establishing the governance and rights of citizens. A legal system for criminal justice is certainly a component of governance, but it is not the primary purpose of the Constitution. Economic regulations and foreign policy guidelines may be influenced by legislative actions, but the Constitution itself primarily sets the overall framework within which these areas operate.