Constitutional Analysis and Institutional Redesign in Era of Internationalisation: Ten Reflections

Abstract

As the end of an age of managerialism seems to be approaching, it is refreshing to reflect once again on the fundamentals of governance in the public sector. The contributions in this volume represent two ways of understanding and conducting constitutional analysis. Both merit more attention given the operational and even the managerial challenges facing modern government in an age of internationalisation. On the one hand, we have the analysis of constitutions, which can be narrowly defined as the “basic” or “higher” legal framework that forms the source and fundament of public legislation and political action. It can also be used more broadly in the public choice meaning of the “rules of the game”. On the other hand, we have constitutional analysis as an analytical approach to the study of government structures, policy and management. These are then explored from the viewpoint of underlying institutional patterns and actor configurations that are aimed at securing the balance, adaptation, resilience and future development of the economic, social, political or administrative systems under consideration.