constitutionalism
/ˌkɒns.tɪˈtjuː.ʃə.nəl.ɪzəm/ · con·sti·tu·tion·al·ism
noun
- The doctrine or practice of limiting governmental power by a constitution. The country's turn toward constitutionalism in the 1990s helped secure civil liberties for its citizens.
- A political ideology that emphasizes the necessity of a written constitution as the supreme law. She is a staunch advocate of constitutionalism, arguing that no law should override the charter.
- The belief that a constitution should be the guiding framework for political authority and public policy. Debates over constitutionalism often surface when legislators propose emergency powers.
Synonyms
constitutional theoryrule of lawlegalismconstitutional doctrinelimited governmentconstitutional governmentconstitutional orderconstitutional principle
Antonyms
Did you know? The term "constitutionalism" rose to prominence during the Enlightenment, and James Madison famously used it to describe the American system of government in the Federalist Papers.
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