Historiography and comparative constitutional scholarship

Abstract

History is central to comparative constitutional scholarship. But the methods and approaches of professional history (historiography) are not. This is a problem. Historiography – the critical study of how history is written and applied – provides important historical literacy for comparative constitutional researchers. This article will begin the process of unpacking its implications for CCS. First, historiography helps to counter the use of incorrect, incomplete, or simplified historical accounts. Second, it helps to show both the limitations and possibilities of applying history to contemporary constitutional questions. These historiographical methods can improve the use of history in comparative constitutional scholarship.