Sometimes they perform their old function of smoothing the path from subjection to independence, as in Namibia and East Timor.

ECONOMIST: From Bosnia, East Timor, and other fragile places

Inscribed on the International UNESCO Memory of the World Register since 2009, the Charter established the right to free and fair trial, limits upon taxation, and the subjection of all citizens to the rule of law, amongst other fundamental constitutional principles that today are almost universally applied worldwide.

UNESCO: UK celebrates the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta