“Constitution, Politics and Law” was the theme of the inaugural lecture of the Faculty of Law – Porto School of Universidade Católica Portuguesa, delivered by Paulo Rangel, Minister of State and Foreign Affairs. In his address, Paulo Rangel reflected on the meaning of the “Constitution” and the importance of debating this concept. He also urged younger generations to overcome “natural laziness”, highlighting the importance of combining technological skills with classical knowledge.
In her opening remarks, Isabel Capeloa Gil, Rector of Universidade Católica Portuguesa, recalled that Law is “a way of thinking about life in common” and that “the Constitution is a space for permanent questioning”. Introducing Paulo Rangel, she emphasised that it is through returns “that a home recognises itself”, adding that “when a former student returns as a professor, the University realises that it has fulfilled its purpose”.
“The Constitution must be emancipated from the concept of the State”
“What is the Constitution?” Is it a written document? Does it also encompass rules arising from “custom, convention and practices”? Paulo Rangel began by addressing the “conceptual error” of “confusing the Constitution with the State”, reflecting on the Constitution’s characteristics and distinctive features.
“The Constitution must be emancipated from the concept of the State”, he stressed. The lecture explored the “essence of the Constitution”, drawing on examples such as the European Union, the US Constitution and the history of constitutional amendments in Portugal.
“Why is the concept of the Constitution so important today?”
The discussion was framed by the current global context. “The 19th century was the century of parliaments, the 20th century was the century of governments, and the 21st century is the century of courts”, he observed. In a world increasingly less constrained by territorial borders, Paulo Rangel called for an integrated perspective and a concept of the Constitution that creates room for dialogue in an interconnected political world. “Only with an open concept of the Constitution can we give political power room to breathe and ensure that States can fulfil their role”, he concluded.
The inaugural lecture included active participation from the audience, with a Q&A session that connected the concepts discussed with current national and international affairs. The conversation also covered topics such as the relevance of a future constitutional revision - which would be “useful” to adapt to the times, but “not dramatic” -, the risks of “judicial activism” and Portugal’s role at the United Nations: “Portugal is a country that talks to everyone, and we can use that to support the functioning of the Security Council.”
Addressing the challenges posed by technological change, Paulo Rangel also offered a lesson for younger generations, urging them to overcome “natural laziness”. “We need to keep pace with technology, but we must be able not to simply follow. We need traditional knowledge to test and detect errors in artificial intelligence”, he concluded.
Marta Portocarrero, Director of the Faculty of Law - Porto School, closed the lecture by recalling the Faculty’s responsibility to “educate legal professionals capable of always finding ways to protect and safeguard fundamental rights and freedoms”. Reflecting on a lecture that “makes you think”, she encouraged students to take away “the habit of thinking about reality and the legal frameworks that shape it, and the courage to question them, if necessary, with intellectual rigour”.
The lecture took place on 13 October in the Ilídio Pinho Auditorium, bringing together Law students and lecturers, as well as members of the wider academic community from the various faculties at the Porto Campus of Universidade Católica Portuguesa.
