Since 1996, Ukraine’s Constitution has provided for a semi-presidential form of government, but these constitutional arrangements have proved to be unstable. Over the past four decades, constitutional stability in Ukraine has faced four main challenges: (a) recurring institutional conflict among the president, legislature and government, which has stalemated the political system and prevented effective legislation; […]
Constitutional Transitions mobilized knowledge through an innovative clinical program at the New York University School of Law from Fall 2012 through Spring 2014 that provided “back office” research support to constitutional advisors in the field, and deployed faculty experts and field researchers for support on the ground — the Constitutional Transitions Clinic. We met field missions’ […]
Decentralization in Unitary States: Constitutional Frameworks for the Middle East and North Africa explores how decentralization in unitary countries can deepen democratic values, and improve the quality of life and human security in neglected communities. It addresses the benefits of decentralization to the MENA region and how constitutional incorporation of various principles can increase opportunities for decentralization and help […]
Oil and Natural Gas: Constitutional Frameworks for the Middle East and North Africa, focuses on the relationship between oil and gas and constitutions. It addresses possible constitutional design options for the regulation of oil and gas resources to enhance accountability, transparency, fair distribution, and efficiency. This Report is a joint publication of Constitutional Transitions, International IDEA and the […]
Combating Corruption: Constitutional Frameworks for the Middle East and North Africa, considers the constitutional frameworks and mechanisms available to prevent and reduce corruption, with particular reference to the Arab region. It argues that most successful anti-corruption frameworks combine a number of preventive, corrective and restorative safeguards, and adopt a coordinated, rather than piecemeal, approach to the problem […]
Semi-presidential government, if carefully designed, can act as a mechanism to promote power sharing and ensure that presidential dictatorship does not re-emerge in a post-authoritarian context. Semi-Presidentialism as Power Sharing: Constitutional reform after the Arab Spring analyzes a range of options for designing a semi-presidential system, considering the extent to which these options can ensure: (1) […]
A constitutional court may play an important role in consolidating democracy after a constitutional transition, and it is important for this reason that constitutional courts are independent, yet accountable institutions. Constitutional Courts after the Arab Spring: Appointment mechanisms and relative judicial independence investigates how constitutional court appointment procedures can promote both judicial independence and judicial […]
Political party finance law is the set of norms governing the income and expenses of political parties. Countries transitioning from authoritarian to democratic systems often grapple with questions of how to regulate political party finance in a way that both ensures political parties can compete effectively for votes during elections, while limiting the improper influences […]