Amendments beyond traditional borders and the role of globalisation in the constitutional changes

Abstract

The 21st century, globalisation and modernisation have necessitated changing and amending of contemporary constitutions. This paper examines the relationship between recent constitutional changes and globalisation. More specifically, the paper explores trends and tendencies of constitutional changes in the context of globalisation with an eye on how ubiquitous information technologies have shaped constitutional revisions sometimes to the point of acknowledging and limiting their sovereignty, via the terms of treaties and transnational trade agreements. In this paper, we will see that constitutionalism, influenced by globalisation and its complexity, has developed beyond its traditional, nation-state borders. Globalisation has shaped even the national legal system of countries, has brought limitation of sovereignty in countries like China or Netherlands, this in the name of economic, social development and integration. Information technology trends also have played a role in the constitution-making process and in the process of changing or amending the constitution in different states. In this regard Germany, Italy, Albania and Kosovo are our case studies to explore the role of globalisation in the revision of recent constitutional changes.