Abstract: This paper argues that the fundamental decisions defining the legal physiognomy of the Romanian State can be traced by analysing the text of the Constitution in the light of legislative history, under consideration both of the political and historical background, and of the later developments. In the author’s opinion, these decisions concern the establishment of a pluralistic democracy, the rule of law (Rechtsstaat), the welfare state, the centralised state, and the Euro-Atlantic integration.

Keywords: fundamental decisions; political pluralism; pluralist democracy; centralized state; referendum; rule of law; Rechtsstaat; welfare state; national unity; European and North-Atlantic integration;