State, Representative Government and Revolution

Abstract

This is a work of comparative political and constitutional history. The main theme of this essay is the relationship between the executive prerogative and the legislative power held by representative institutions. I analyze the constitutional histories of five countries, Britain, France, Germany, Russia, and the United States, and I consider the location of the supreme lawmaking power within the respective governments. One major aspect of constitutional development which is studied is the role of revolutions. In each account, I trace the major constitutional developments of the revolutions which occurred in each country. One theme of my consideration of revolutions is how they served as a means of constitutional change in each country. Another characteristic of revolutions which is studied was how closely the governments which resulted from the revolutions resembled the old regimes which they replaced. I also briefly analyze the constitutional histories of China, Japan, and Iran, pointing out how they contrast with the European states.