constitutionalism

American  

[kon-sti-too-shuh-nl-iz-uhm, -tyoo-] / ˌkɒn stɪˈtu ʃə nlˌɪz əm, -ˈtyu- /

noun

1. the principles of constitutional government or adherence to them.

2. constitutional rule or authority.

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constitutionalism British  

/ ˌkɒnstɪˈtjuːʃənəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. the principles, spirit, or system of government in accord with a constitution, esp a written constitution

2. adherence to or advocacy of such a system or such principles

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Other Word Forms

• anticonstitutionalism noun
• constitutionalist noun
• hyperconstitutionalism noun
• proconstitutionalism noun

Etymology

Origin of constitutionalism

First recorded in 1825–35; constitutional + -ism

Explanation

Political scientists use the word constitutionalism to describe the belief that a government's authority is dictated by a specific law or group of laws — a constitution. People who feel strongly that government is not permitted to do anything that isn't clearly laid out in a written law are advocates of constitutionalism. In the United States, this means sticking to the letter of the Constitution, and checking all proposed laws against it. The important concepts in constitutionalism are a "higher law," or constitution, and using this as a means of limiting the powers of government.

Example Sentences

The weakness in the grand edifice of American constitutionalism is that it depends on the determination, in every generation, of those in positions of authority to uphold it.

From Slate • Jan. 29, 2025

Inclusive constitutionalism is a fundamentally hopeful theory in that it insists that we can and should move past the unbearable present.

From Slate • May 8, 2024

At the time, debates about the pros and cons of democracy, republicanism and constitutionalism were common on Chinese social media.

From New York Times • Jan. 19, 2024

“Something has got to really be rearranged in these settings without a return to hard-nosed constitutionalism, because I don’t think that’ll work either,” he says.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 12, 2024

In that case, his ministers, pledged as they were to constitutionalism by the resolutions of September, 1841, had warned him beforehand, that they would resign in a body.

From British Supremacy & Canadian Self-Government, 1839-1854 by Morison, J. L. (John Lyle)