Herodotus showed how human beliefs and choices affected the fate of nations. His insights are still relevant.
Articles on Constitutionalism
Displaying 1 - 20 of 48 articles
Some African nations are strengthening their democracy, while most are stuck in a dangerously authoritarian spiral.
South Africa’s 2024 election was characterised by a shift in power and new threats to democracy – despite the majority still opting for the political centre.
A sea change in the system of governance is needed to fix South Africa and rebuild an economy plagued by serious crises.
The constitution and the principle of constitutionalism will continue to be politically contested territory. So far it’s held in South Africa.
The court covered itself in glory in the first 15 years, but its performance has been patchy since then, coinciding with Jacob Zuma’s presidency.
Transitional president Mahamat Idriss Déby appears to be the only winner of the Chadian constitutional referendum.
The governing ANC’s indifference to constitutionalism has left the constitution vulnerable to opportunistic attack by politicians.
People across Latin America are demanding greater political participation. Some countries, including Colombia and Chile, have responded by involving citizens in the making of their constitutions.
The African Union compares well to other continental unions. It accomplishes more than the Commonwealth or the Francophonie.
Justice Mokgoro’s advocacy for group solidarity and reconciliation is discernible in several of her judgments.
How Swapo and the ANC respond to any further decline in electoral support will define the future of democracy in both countries.
Expulsion of the German ambassador could be a way of warning other embassies, especially France, to steer clear of Chadian politics and support for the opposition.
Despite its vagueness, the RET has become central to the contemporary ANC. It is destined to remain a powerful bloc within the party, and a constant constraint on Ramaphosa leadership.
Despite America’s deep divisions, the electioneering showed democracy’s resilience. This should be a boost for democracy advocates across Africa.
Tunisia’s democratic backslide demonstrates how autocrats can use constitutional cover to entrench authoritarianism.
Despite their pretensions to support reforms, it is clear that successive governments are not interested in the reform.
The country has had five governments in 10 years. Every time a government collapses, the reform programme follows suit.
The country’s courts have already exhibited a significant level of maturity in rulings touching on the executive.
Peddlers of dangerous ideas regarding the constitution should be reminded of what was done in the name of a legislative majority under apartheid.
Top contributors
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Professor of Sociology, University of the Witwatersrand
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Head of Department, Public and Environmental Law Department, University of Limpopo
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Associate Professor in Public Law, University of Cape Town
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Emeritus Associate Professor in Public Law, UCT. Visiting Adjunct Professor, WITS School of Governance; Director, Africa Programme, University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, University of Cambridge
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Professor of Law, University of the Witwatersrand
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Associate Researcher at the Arnold Bergstraesser Institut, Freiburg Germany, University of Freiburg
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Extraordinary Lecturer, University of Pretoria
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Professor Emeritus of Public Law, University of Cape Town
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Claude Leon Foundation Chair in Constitutional Governance, University of Cape Town
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SA UK Bilateral Research Professor in Political Theory, Wits and Cambridge, University of the Witwatersrand
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Director of the Leaders of Africa Institute and Research Affiliate with Davidson College, Davidson College
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PhD Candidate, University of Cape Town
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Politics lecturer, Rhodes University
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Senior Lecturer in Politics, University of Exeter; Independent Social Research Foundation
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Professor, Department of Legal Studies, School of Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Amherst