Conflict-Related Constitutions and Conflict (non)Recurrence (VIRTUAL)

Ilana Rothkopf, PhD Candidate in the Department of Political Science;  Student Affiliate of the Notre Dame International Security Center, the Klau Center for Civil and Human Rights; and Kellogg Institute Graduate Affiliate

Is constitution-making associated with armed conflict recurrence or non-recurrence? In the past 25 years, over 60 countries have adopted a new constitution or significantly amended their constitution during an armed conflict or as part of a peace process. Though there is a rich and diverse literature that considers the numerous institutional arrangements, societal conditions, and conflict factors, that contribute to renewed conflict or relative stability, few have seriously analyzed the role of constitutional reform. Such changes can elevate compromises and conflict mitigation into supreme law – or entrench sources of tension. This chapter explains how the creation of a Conflict-Related Constitution (CRC) can potentially influence conflict recurrence.  Leveraging data from the Uppsala Conflict Data Program and the Comparative Constitutions Project, it hypothesizes that conflicts with CRCs will be more likely not to experience recurrence than those without CRCs, and that the inclusion of specific types of changes to the structure of the state – such as new federal structures or decentralization – will be associated with conflict non-recurrence.

For the pre-circulated materials or more information, contact Gary Goertz.