Unrechtsstaat

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The German term Unrechtsstaat (German: [ˈʊnʁɛçt͡sˌʃtaːt] ^ⓘ; pl. Unrechtsstaaten, German: [ˈʊnʁɛçt͡sˌʃtaːtn̩] ^ⓘ) is a pejorative approximately meaning "unconstitutional, unjust, undemocratic or unlawful state" used to refer to a state in which the exercise of major aspects of governmental power is not constrained by the law, as opposed to a Rechtsstaat (constitutional state).^[1] It is used not only as a jurisprudential term but also as a political one.^[2] The origin of the term is attributed to the Prussian Catholic politician Peter Reichensperger, who in 1853 used the term to imply that Prussia would become "unjust" if it curtailed the rights of its Catholic subjects.^[3]