Bernard H. Siegan describes the terms and provisions that a constitution dedicated to the maintenance of a free society should contain, together with the rationale and philosophy behind them. The author gives special consideration to the newly emerging nations of Eastern Europe and formerly communist countries.

Topics covered include the powers of and restraints on the legislature and the president, administrative agencies, the judiciary, judicial rights for the protection of liberty in addition to property rights and economic liberties. Siegan also includes a suggested model constitution.