The United States Constitution has been a notable model for governance around the world. Its international influence is found in similarities of phrasing and borrowed passages in other constitutions, as well as in the principles of the rule of law, separation of powers and recognition of individual rights.
flat afÂ·fect. 1  absence of or diminution in the amount of emotional tone or outward emotional reaction typically shown by oneself or others under similar circumstances; a milder form is termed blunted affect.
blunted affect severe reduction in the intensity of affect; a common symptom of schizophrenic disorders. constricted affect restricted affect. flat affect lack of emotional expression. inappropriate affect affect that is incongruent with the situation or with the content of a patient's ideas or speech. labile affect that characterized by rapid changes in emotion unrelated to external events or stimuli.