Comparative Constitutional History: Volume Two: Uses of History in Constitutional Adjudication: 10 (History of European Political and Constitutional Thought)

Constitutions are a product of history, but what is the role of history in interpreting and applying constitutional provisions? This volume addresses that question from a comparative perspective, examining different uses of history by courts in determining constitutional meaning. The book shows that there is considerable debate around the role of history in constitutional adjudication. Are, for example, historical public debates over the adoption of a constitution relevant to reading its provisions today? If a constitution represents a break from a prior repressive regime, should courts construe the constitution’s provisions in light of that background? Are former constitutions relevant to interpreting a new constitution? Through an assessment of current practices the volume offers some lessons for the future practices of courts as they adjudicate constitutional cases.

Contributors are: Mark D. Rosen, Jorge M. Farinacci-Fernós, Justin Collings, Jean-Christophe Bédard-Rubin, Cem Tecimer, Ángel Aday Jiménez Alemán, Ana Beatriz Robalinho, Keigo Obayashi, Zoltán Szente, Shih-An Wang, and Diego Werneck Arguelhes.

Francesco Biagi is Senior Assistant Professor of Comparative Public Law at the University of Bologna Department of Legal Studies. His latest publications include: European Constitutional Courts and Transitions to Democracy (Cambridge University Press 2020); “Constitution Drafting After the Arab Spring: A Comparative Overview”, 29 Indiana Journal of Global Legal Studies 1 (2022).

Justin O. Frosini is Associate Professor of Comparative Public Law at the Bocconi University in Milan and Adjunct Professor of Constitutional Law at Johns Hopkins University. He earned his law degree and his doctorate from the University of Bologna. His latest book is Dalla Sovranità del Parlamento alla Sovranità del Popolo. La rivoluzione costituzionale provocata dalla Brexit (Wolters Kluwer-Cedam, 2020).

Jason Mazzone is the Albert E. Jenner, Jr. Professor of Law at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he also serves as Director of the Program in Constitutional Theory, History and Law. He earned undergraduate and law degrees from Harvard University and his doctorate from Yale University.