The Story of Constitutions
Discovering the We in Us
Published on 2. November 2023
Book
Paperback/Softback
406 pages
978-1-009-38504-6 (ISBN)
Description
Today, 189 out of 193 officially recognised nation-states have a written constitution, and 75% of these have been ratified since 1975. How did this worldwide diffusion of constitutions come about? In this book, Wim Voermans traces the varied and surprising story of constitutions since the agricultural revolution of c.10,000 bce. Adopting an interdisciplinary approach, Voermans shows how human evolution, human nature and the history of thought have all played their part in shaping modern constitutions. Constitutions, in turn, have shaped our societies, creating imagined communities of trust and recognition that allow us to successfully co-operate with one another. Engagingly and wittily told, the story of constitutions is vital to understanding our world, our civilisations and, most significantly, ourselves.
Reviews / Votes
'A grand masterpiece that teaches as much as it inspires, this outstanding book enriches our understanding of the origins and evolution of constitutions and opens new research streams that will guide scholars for years to come. This magisterial work catapults Voermans to the Mount Rushmore of modern constitutional studies.' Richard Albert, The University of Texas at Austin '... one of the most compelling and ambitious monographs on constitutions throughout history published to date.' Comparative Legal History '... this is an important work that is as much a 'thick description' of constitutionalism (akin to Clifford Geertz's thick descriptions of Balinese cockfights, etc.) as it is an analysis of legal architecture ... reading Voermans' work will certainly provide a thoughtful context for assessing the success or failure of any new constitutional movements. In this respect, The Story Of Constitutions would serve as a wonderful background text for assessing the trials and tribulations of Chile's constitutional odyssey. It is a thoughtful look back to the past and into the future of constitutionalism.' Mark Rush, Law and Politics Book ReviewMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
Worked examples or Exercises; 35 Halftones, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 227 mm
Width: 154 mm
Thickness: 27 mm
Weight
552 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-009-38504-6 (9781009385046)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
11/2023
Cambridge University Press
€89.00
Shipment within 15-20 days
E-Book
10/2023
Cambridge University Press
€28.49
Available for download
Person
Wim Voermans is Professor of Constitutional Law at Leiden University. His research focuses on comparative constitutional law, the evolution of human groups into political societies and the genesis of constitutions, legitimacy and storytelling. Voermans has written widely on subjects related to constitutional law, including European Law, Administrative Law (and the dynamics of the Administrative State) and legislative issues. His last four books have become bestsellers in the Netherlands, selling thousands of copies over the last three years.
Content
1. Introduction: the century of constitutions; Part I. Constitutional Diffusion: 2. Constitutions everywhere; 3. The origin of constitutions; Part II. The History of the Constitution: 4. Precursors; 5. Etched into collective memory: ancient constitutions; 6. Roman roots; 7. Mediaeval constitutions; 8. Early-modern constitutions; 9. Generations: the first generation of monarchical constitutions; 10. Second generation: revolutionary constitutions; 11. Third generation: restoration constitutions; 12. Fourth generation: liberal constitutions; 13. Fifth generation: imperial constitutions; 14. Sixth generation: Leviathan constitutions; 15. The seventh generation: liberation constitutions; 16. The eighth generation: liberal-democratic constitutions; 17. What are the lessons of history?; Part III. Concepts, Shapes and Types of Constitutions: 18. What is a constitution?; 19. Constitutional kinship; Part IV. Effects: 20. What does a constitution do?; 21. The legal meaning of constitutions; 22. Economic aspects; 23. Political aspects; Part V. The Imagined Order of the Constitution: 24. The constitution's beating heart: emotions; 25. The roots of the tree of knowledge; 26. Constitutions as vehicles for legitimacy; 27. The story of the constitution; 28. Appealing to the imagination: constitutional experience; 29. Once upon a time... There was the constitution.