Revolutionary Constitutions: Are They Revolutionary in Terms of Constitutional Design?

Abstract

We use Comparative Constitutions Project (CCP) data to explore whether Constitutions that follow revolutions are designed differently. We employ matching methods using 31 treatments (revolutionary Constitutions) and 162 control units (new Constitutional adoptions without a revolution). We find some evidence that revolutionary Constitutions are less rigid (i.e., their procedural barriers to amendment are weaker). Otherwise, revolutionary Constitutions seem similar to non-revolutionary ones. However, we do find strong evidence that revolutionary Constitutions not associated with ending colonial rule or the fall of the USSR are associated with greater likelihood of ex post democracy.

Keywords: revolutions, constitutions, political economy, matching methods, democracy

JEL Classification: P00, P48, K00, K40