Constitution-Making, Democracy and Development: Africa, Middle East and Comparative Perspectives

Aim and Content

This course provides students with an introduction to constitutional theory and empirical examples from processes of constitution-making, constitutional and democratic change in various parts of the world, but with an emphasis on the empirical experiences of African and Middle Eastern countries. The course is divided into three main parts. In the first part, we focus on how constitutions help or hinder democracy. Constitutional theory is discussed, starting with the formal constitution. The aim is to discuss how - in various forms and designs - constitutions function as power-maps and as mechanisms to limit the exercise of power. In the second part, focus is placed on constitution-making as process. Increasingly, constitution-making involves broad public participation and deliberation. The course lectures and discussions will emphasise how constitutions are made ¿ and changed ¿ in different ways and influenced by different social actors (such as negotiated deals as political transition, as a result of a technocratic process, or, constitutional engineering, a gradual process of re-interpretation by courts and other authorities). In the third part, we emphasize empirical examples of constitution-making in practice in Africa and the Middle East. Constitutions are analysed through the prisms of inclusion/exclusion, formality/informality, revolution, and electoral authoritarianism.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course the student will be able to: 12

• Demonstrate command of theoretical and empirical texts that emphasize how constitutions shape and constrain political action in new and establishing democracies.
• Grasp the interconnections between the concepts of constitution-making and democracy - and how the constitutions themselves are shaped by the political and social context.
• Explain central concepts and theoretical debates such as democratic constitutionalism; human rights; rule of law, and constitutional engineering and to be able to apply them to empirical contexts.
• Analyze how and why constitutions differ between countries and regions, and what the effects are on society.

Course offered (semester)

Spring

Exam offered (semester)

Spring

Language of Instruction

English

Course Unit Level

Bachelor

Department

Department of Comparative Politics

Teaching Methods

Form: Lectures

Hours per week: 2

Number of weeks: Approx. 12

Compulsory Requirements

None

Assessment methods

6 hour school exam

Grading Scale

A-F

Course Unit Evaluation

Regularly

Contact Information

studieveileder@isp.uib.no/55583316