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  3. The Story of Constitutions
  • Cited by 2
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    • Publisher:
      Cambridge University Press
      Publication date:
      October 2023
      November 2023
      ISBN:
      9781009385084
      9781009385060
      9781009385046
      DOI:
      https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009385084
      Dimensions:
      (235 x 158 mm)
      Weight & Pages:
      0.74kg, 406 Pages
      Dimensions:
      (227 x 152 mm)
      Weight & Pages:
      0.59kg, 406 Pages
      • Subjects:
      Constitutional and Administrative Law, Legal History, Law, Comparative Law, Comparative Politics
      Series:
      Comparative Constitutional Law and Policy
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    Subjects:
    Constitutional and Administrative Law, Legal History, Law, Comparative Law, Comparative Politics
    Series:
    Comparative Constitutional Law and Policy
    Information

    Book 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.

    Awards

    Winner, 2024 The Constitutional Studies - 2023 Book of the Year Award, The University of Texas at Austin

    Reviews

    ‘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.’

    Source: 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 pastand into the future of constitutionalism.’

    Mark Rush Source: Law and Politics Book Review

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    Contents

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    Contents

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