constitutional reform
Foundational legal changes
Constitutional reform refers to changes in the fundamental rules governing a political system—typically a nation's constitution.
Such reforms may alter the structure of government, expand or restrict rights, or modify how power is distributed: The coalition campaigned for constitutional reform including an elected upper house.
Reform implies improvement, though what counts as improvement is often contested.
- democratizationTransition toward popular rule
- founding fathersMale originators of institutions
- federalismDivided governmental authority system
- amendmentChange to official text
- democracyRule by the people
civic engagement · rule of law · judicial review · civil liberties · supermajority · ratification · entrenchment · separation of powers · referendum · bill of rights · governance · checks and balances · parliamentary system · sunset clause · term limits · power-sharing · human rights · voting systems
- governancegovernance, government, democracy, vote, parliament
- reformreformist, democratic reforms, structural change, overhaul, revision
- Canadian HistoryConfederation, Rupert's Land, colonial era, colonial government, self-government
- constitutional lawBill of Rights, First Amendment, Second Amendment, Fourth Amendment, Fifth Amendment
- Caribbean historyJamaica, Haiti, Barbados, Cuba, Trinidad
- constitutionsbill of rights, clause, clauses, preamble, provisions