The Social Foundations of Constitutional Innovation

William D. Blake, Joseph Francesco Cozza, Dave A. Armstrong II

ISBN 10: 1009611569 / ISBN 13: 9781009611565

Published by Cambridge University Press, GB, 2026

About this Item

Why are some constitutions amended more frequently than others? Studies of amendment rates have been plentiful but have not generated much theoretical or empirical consensus because the extant literature rests rest on a strong and unwarranted assumption that social capacity to navigate amendment rules is constant across space and time. By contrast, the authors of this Element argue that this social capacity varies by civic connectedness. Drawing upon previous studies that find social capital mitigates transaction costs, this Element outlines the myriad ways in which social capital helps elites, social movements, and ordinary citizens solve the collective action problems associated with constitutional reform. The authors find evidence for their theory using a variety of measures, methods, and units of analysis.

Seller Inventory # LU-9781009611565

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Social Foundations of Constitutional Innovation
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press, GB
• Publication Date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1009611569
• ISBN 13: 9781009611565
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: New
• Weight: 142 grams

About this title

Synopsis

Why are some constitutions amended more frequently than others? Studies of amendment rates have been plentiful but have not generated much theoretical or empirical consensus because the extant literature rests rest on a strong and unwarranted assumption that social capacity to navigate amendment rules is constant across space and time. By contrast, the authors of this Element argue that this social capacity varies by civic connectedness. Drawing upon previous studies that find social capital mitigates transaction costs, this Element outlines the myriad ways in which social capital helps elites, social movements, and ordinary citizens solve the collective action problems associated with constitutional reform. The authors find evidence for their theory using a variety of measures, methods, and units of analysis.