The Story of Constitutions

Discovering the We in Us

Wim Voermans (Universiteit Leiden)

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English

Cambridge University Press
02 November 2023

Law; Legal history; Constitutional & administrative law

Series: Comparative Constitutional Law and Policy

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.

By: Wim Voermans (Universiteit Leiden)
Imprint: Cambridge University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 227mm, Width: 152mm, Spine: 21mm
Weight: 590g
ISBN: 9781009385046
ISBN 10: 1009385046
Series: Comparative Constitutional Law and Policy
Pages: 388
Publication Date: 02 November 2023
Audience: College/higher education , Further / Higher Education
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

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.

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.

Reviews for The Story of Constitutions: Discovering the We in Us

'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