Abstract

Liberal Constitutionalism refers to a political regime governed by a constitution that establishes the rule of law, reflects liberal principles, and is supported by a society whose people can be said to reasonably understand and value those principles as well as the rule of law enshrined in it or in a well-settled understanding if unwritten. As society evolves, so too does its self-understanding of what those principles mean, and how its constitution should be interpreted so as to maintain its relevancy and vibrancy. This evolution in self-understanding and constitutional interpretation guides the regime to enrich the ideals it stands for, such as equality before the law, individual liberty, democracy, tolerance of differences, and the like. Liberal constitutionalism, then, involves a reasonable concord, though not unanimity surrounding political organization and principles. The meanings and applications of documents and principles may be contested and change over time. Nevertheless, though disputes about the meaning and application of liberal principles are to be expected their resolutions are supposed to be amiable even when there is great diversity in the citizenry.