This innovative book blends constitutional theory with real-life political practice to explore the impact of codifying constitutional amendments on the operation of the constitution in relation to democracy, the rule of law, and the separation of powers.
It draws from comparative, historical, political and theoretical perspectives to answer questions all constitutional designers should ask themselves:
- Should the constitution append amendments sequentially to the end of the text?
- Should it embed amendments directly into the existing text, with notations about what has been modified and how?
- Should it instead insert amendments into the text without indicating at all that any alteration has occurred?
The book examines the 3 major models of amendment codification the appendative, the integrative, and the invisible models and also shows how some jurisdictions have innovated alternative forms of amendment codification that combine elements of more than 1 model in a unique hybridisation driven by history, law, and politics.
