Open Tech 2013 - Constitutional Excerpts

ConstituteElectronic Retrieval of Constitutional Excerpts

James MeltonLecturer in Comparative Politics

University College London

[email protected]

18th May, 2013

Melton Constitute 18th May, 2013 1 / 8

mailto: [email protected]

Who’s Involved

Collaborators –

� Zachary Elkins, University of Texas at Austin� Tom Ginsburg, University of Chicago Law School

Technical Assistance –

� Daniel Miranker, University of Texas at Austin� Juan Sequeda, University of Texas at Austin� Robert Schaffer, University of Texas at Austin

Financial Support –

� The Indigo Trust


The Comparative Constitutions Project

Objective – catalog the contents of all constitutions written inindependent states since 1789

Data –

� chronology of constitutional events� repository of texts� survey of contents


Why Constitute?

Facts –

� 15% of countries change their constitution each year

� constitutional drafters are typically inexperienced

Need –

information on contents of other countries’ constitutionsaccess to domestic constitutions


Why Constitute?

Facts –

� 15% of countries change their constitution each year� constitutional drafters are typically inexperienced

Need –



Why Constitute?

Facts –

� 15% of countries change their constitution each year� constitutional drafters are typically inexperienced

Need –



Constitute: A Preview








Building Constitute

center

Tag Response Article NumberHOSTERM 5 113.1HOSTERML Only two terms permitted, total 113.2

Tag TopicHOSTERM Head of State

Term LengthHOSTERML Head of State

Term Limits

Article 113(Term of office)1. The term of office ofPresident of the Republicshall last for five years . . .2. Each citizen may serve upto two terms of office asPresident of the Republic.(Angola’s 2010 Constitution)

<http://ccp.org/data/Angola2010/113/1> <http://ccp.org/data/topic> <http://ccp.org/data/topic=HOSTERM> .<http://ccp.org/data/Angola2010/113/1> <http://ccp.org/data/article> "Article 113 | 1." .<http://ccp.org/data/Angola2010/113/1> <http://ccp.org/data/text> "The term of office of President . . . " .<http://ccp.org/data/Angola2010/113/2> <http://ccp.org/data/topic> <http://ccp.org/data/topic=HOSTERML> .<http://ccp.org/data/Angola2010/113/2> <http://ccp.org/data/article> "Article 113 | 2." .<http://ccp.org/data/Angola2010/113/2> <http://ccp.org/data/text> "Each citizen may serve up to two terms . . . " .


Building Constitute

center




Term Limits




Building Constitute

center




Term Limits




Building Constitute

center




Term Limits




Concluding Remarks

Universal access to all national constitutions

Empowering domestic actors –

� involved in constitutional change� play a more active role in their country’s governance


Concluding Remarks

Universal access to all national constitutions

Empowering domestic actors –

� involved in constitutional change� play a more active role in their country’s governance


More resources for constitutional drafters are available atConstitutionMaking.org

Thank You!


http://constitutionmaking.org/

Education

Open Tech 2013 - Constitutional Excerpts