The Course examines the processes involved in the creation,
modificiation and enforcement of constitutions in Africa.
The course will also address the reasons behind the success and frequent failures of these processes, the role of constitutions in fostering stable democracies, and the ways in which coup leaders and authoritarian regimes may manipulate them to maintain control.
The course includes discussions on constitution-making procedures, constitutional design, and their potential to promote inclusive, democratic societies that honour the diverse backgrounds of their citizens.
The course will also address the reasons behind the success and frequent failures of these processes, the role of constitutions in fostering stable democracies, and the ways in which coup leaders and authoritarian regimes may manipulate them to maintain control.
The course includes discussions on constitution-making procedures, constitutional design, and their potential to promote inclusive, democratic societies that honour the diverse backgrounds of their citizens.
Course Lead:
Dr. Wole Kunuji LLM(Cantab), Ph.D(Warwick)
Senior Research Fellow and Director of the Lex Lata Centre for International Law and Comparative Constitutionalism in Africa.
Among other things, the course will explore the following topics:
- Meaning, nature and role of constitutions in democratic political systems.
- Models of constitutional design- federalism, parliamentarism, presidentialism, separation of powers.
- Processes, principles and challenges of crafting and implementing constitutions.
- Constitutional systems and their impact on institutional effectiveness.
- Case studies of successful and unsuccessful constitution-making efforts with a focus on best practices and potential pitfalls.
Target Participants
The course is suitable for a wide range of people interested in how constitutions are made, including legal practitioners,undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Course Format
The virtual course format will be live teaching offered via Zoom. Participants will be able to interact with the tutor and amongst themselves on screen.