Open Tech 2013 - Constitutional Excerpts

1. Constitute Electronic Retrieval of Constitutional Excerpts James Melton Lecturer in Comparative Politics University College London j.melton@ucl.ac.uk 18th May, 2013 Melton Constitute 18th May, 2013 1 / 8

2. Who’s Involved Collaborators – ž Zachary Elkins, University of Texas at Austin ž Tom Ginsburg, University of Chicago Law School Technical Assistance – ž Daniel Miranker, University of Texas at Austin ž Juan Sequeda, University of Texas at Austin ž Robert Schaﬀer, University of Texas at Austin Financial Support – ž The Indigo Trust Melton Constitute 18th May, 2013 2 / 8

3. The Comparative Constitutions Project Objective – catalog the contents of all constitutions written in independent states since 1789 Data – ž chronology of constitutional events ž repository of texts ž survey of contents Melton Constitute 18th May, 2013 3 / 8

4. Why Constitute? Facts – ž 15% of countries change their constitution each year Melton Constitute 18th May, 2013 4 / 8

5. Why Constitute? Facts – ž 15% of countries change their constitution each year ž constitutional drafters are typically inexperienced Melton Constitute 18th May, 2013 4 / 8

6. Why Constitute? Facts – ž 15% of countries change their constitution each year ž constitutional drafters are typically inexperienced Need – information on contents of other countries’ constitutions access to domestic constitutions Melton Constitute 18th May, 2013 4 / 8

7. Constitute: A Preview Melton Constitute 18th May, 2013 5 / 8

11. Building Constitute center Tag Response Article Number HOSTERM 5 113.1 HOSTERML Only two terms permitted, total 113.2 Tag Topic HOSTERM Head of State Term Length HOSTERML Head of State Term Limits Article 113 (Term of office) 1. The term of office of President of the Republic shall last for five years . . . 2. Each citizen may serve up to two terms of office as President 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 . . . " . Melton Constitute 18th May, 2013 6 / 8

15. Concluding Remarks Universal access to all national constitutions Melton Constitute 18th May, 2013 7 / 8

16. Concluding Remarks Universal access to all national constitutions Empowering domestic actors – ž involved in constitutional change ž play a more active role in their country’s governance Melton Constitute 18th May, 2013 7 / 8

17. More resources for constitutional drafters are available at ConstitutionMaking.org Thank You! Melton Constitute 18th May, 2013 8 / 8

Open Tech 2013 - Constitutional Excerpts

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

More from indigotrust

More from indigotrust (12)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

Open Tech 2013 - Constitutional Excerpts