Comparative
Constitutional Law
Inhoud
Week 1: introduction and methodology of CCL.............................................................2
Literature....................................................................................................................2
Notes...........................................................................................................................3
Week 2: Multilevel Governance.....................................................................................4
Literature....................................................................................................................4
Notes...........................................................................................................................6
Week 3: Parliaments and elections................................................................................6
Literature....................................................................................................................6
Notes...........................................................................................................................8
Week 4: Lawmaking.......................................................................................................9
Literature....................................................................................................................9
Notes.........................................................................................................................10
Week 5: The executive branch....................................................................................11
Literature..................................................................................................................11
Notes.........................................................................................................................13
, Week 1: introduction and methodology of
CCL
Literature
Comparative methodologies – Hirschl
Constitutional law: focuses on constitutional texts or jurisprudence and focus on the
internal logic, hierarchy and interpretative coherence
Constitutional theory: explore foundational principles and normative considerations
that guide constitutional domain search for ethically sound and morally appealing
approaches to common problems in constitutional law
Constitutional studies: social-scientific approach, sees the constitutional domain as
an integral part of the broader political context within which the constitutional
domain evolves and operates.
Comparative constitutional law: elements and manifestations of
constitutionalism across time and place share many common features and are
therefore comparable
Comparative constitutional inquiry:
Ontological: mapping/classifying elements of worldwide constitutional universe
in a systematic way
Cross-jurisdictional constitutional pollination pertaining to several different
objects of migration
Idiographic studies: thorough, nuanced analysis of a single constitutional
system
Generate concepts and analytical frameworks for thinking critically about
constitutional norms and practices. Focus on a single practice as carried out in
different jurisdictions
Theory testing and explanation through casual interference: causation is a key
element. Systematic examination of a small number of selected cases and
statistical analysis of large data
Nomothetic: generate widely transferable insights through analyses of large
sets of observations
Methodology of comparative legal research – Hoecke
When choosing which law system to compare: language, culture, wording
What should be compared: not only legislation
Comparing case law will require some knowledge of the historical and socio-
economic background
Methods for comparative research:
1) Functional method: look at the way practical of solving conflicts of interest are
dealt with in different societies according to different legal systems
2) Structural method: focus on the structures hidden within the phenomenon
being observed
3) Analytical method: analysing concept of ‘right’: by looking at this deeper level
we may better distinguish differences and commonalities between legal
systems as to apparently similar or different concepts
4) Law-in-context method: must also take into account the way the law works in
practice
5) Historical method: historical origins of the present-day laws are compared.
May reveal other similarities and or differences at a deeper level
6) Common-core method: look for common core in view of the harmonization of a
certain part of the law
Levels of comparison:
- Macro and micro level: legal systems vs. concrete rules
Constitutional Law
Inhoud
Week 1: introduction and methodology of CCL.............................................................2
Literature....................................................................................................................2
Notes...........................................................................................................................3
Week 2: Multilevel Governance.....................................................................................4
Literature....................................................................................................................4
Notes...........................................................................................................................6
Week 3: Parliaments and elections................................................................................6
Literature....................................................................................................................6
Notes...........................................................................................................................8
Week 4: Lawmaking.......................................................................................................9
Literature....................................................................................................................9
Notes.........................................................................................................................10
Week 5: The executive branch....................................................................................11
Literature..................................................................................................................11
Notes.........................................................................................................................13
, Week 1: introduction and methodology of
CCL
Literature
Comparative methodologies – Hirschl
Constitutional law: focuses on constitutional texts or jurisprudence and focus on the
internal logic, hierarchy and interpretative coherence
Constitutional theory: explore foundational principles and normative considerations
that guide constitutional domain search for ethically sound and morally appealing
approaches to common problems in constitutional law
Constitutional studies: social-scientific approach, sees the constitutional domain as
an integral part of the broader political context within which the constitutional
domain evolves and operates.
Comparative constitutional law: elements and manifestations of
constitutionalism across time and place share many common features and are
therefore comparable
Comparative constitutional inquiry:
Ontological: mapping/classifying elements of worldwide constitutional universe
in a systematic way
Cross-jurisdictional constitutional pollination pertaining to several different
objects of migration
Idiographic studies: thorough, nuanced analysis of a single constitutional
system
Generate concepts and analytical frameworks for thinking critically about
constitutional norms and practices. Focus on a single practice as carried out in
different jurisdictions
Theory testing and explanation through casual interference: causation is a key
element. Systematic examination of a small number of selected cases and
statistical analysis of large data
Nomothetic: generate widely transferable insights through analyses of large
sets of observations
Methodology of comparative legal research – Hoecke
When choosing which law system to compare: language, culture, wording
What should be compared: not only legislation
Comparing case law will require some knowledge of the historical and socio-
economic background
Methods for comparative research:
1) Functional method: look at the way practical of solving conflicts of interest are
dealt with in different societies according to different legal systems
2) Structural method: focus on the structures hidden within the phenomenon
being observed
3) Analytical method: analysing concept of ‘right’: by looking at this deeper level
we may better distinguish differences and commonalities between legal
systems as to apparently similar or different concepts
4) Law-in-context method: must also take into account the way the law works in
practice
5) Historical method: historical origins of the present-day laws are compared.
May reveal other similarities and or differences at a deeper level
6) Common-core method: look for common core in view of the harmonization of a
certain part of the law
Levels of comparison:
- Macro and micro level: legal systems vs. concrete rules
