State Functions in Latvia Through an Institutional Prism: The Constitution as a Pedestal

The article offers a conceptual perspective on the relevance of the theory of state organs developed in the 19th century in Germany for contemporary state theory in Latvia. The article treats the genesis of the understanding of the state institutions since the regaining of independence in the 1990s. Taking into account the phenomenon of “flood of laws” progressing today, one of its manifestations is the constant discussion of amendments to the constitution, including adding new institutions to the constitution. In the absence of serious doctrinally based arguments and filters strengthened by legal culture, the legislator can use the power granted to it to amend the constitution without sufficiently comprehensively considering and amending the well-functioning mechanism of checks and balances between the three branches of power, which was established before World War II.