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Abstract

From its beginnings as a relatively obscure and exotic subject studied by a devoted few, comparative constitutionalism has developed into one of the more vibrant and exciting subjects in contemporary legal scholarship, and has become a cornerstone of constitutional jurisprudence and constitution-making in an increasing number of countries worldwide. This tremendous renaissance in comparative constitutional inquiry reflects a confluence of factors. Chief among them are extensive democratization and constitutionalization trends worldwide; the internalization of the legal profession and of legal education; and the rise of communication and information technologies that facilitate considerably the diffusion of constitutional concepts, and foster cross-national jurisprudential dialogue. The result has been an ever-expanding interest among scholars, judges, practitioners and policymakers in the transnational migration of constitutional ideas, and in the comparative study of constitutions and constitutionalism more generally.