constitucionalisme

Constitutionalism, sometimes rendered as constitucionalisme in some languages, is the doctrine and practice that governmental authority is limited by a constitution that sets the powers of the state, defines its institutions, and protects fundamental rights. It is grounded in the rule of law, the separation of powers, and checks and balances designed to prevent the abuse of power and to provide avenues for accountability and redress. Constitutionalism can be codified in a written constitution or embedded in an unwritten system of legal norms and conventions; in either form, it asserts that rulers derive legitimacy from the constitution and are subject to it.

Constitutions typically allocate powers among branches, establish mechanisms for representation and policymaking, and enumerate civil liberties. The judiciary, often through constitutional courts or supreme courts, interprets the constitution to resolve disputes about scope of power and the protection of rights. The idea has taken different shapes: in some states, such as the United States, constitutional sovereignty is embodied in a written, rigid constitution with strong judicial review; in others, such as the United Kingdom, the constitution is partly unwritten and relies on statutes, common law, and conventions.

Historically, constitutionalism emerged from medieval limits on sovereign power, matured in the early modern period (for example, Magna Carta and the Bill of Rights), and expanded in the 19th and 20th centuries with universal and human rights commitments. Today it remains a central framework for assessing legitimacy, rights, and governance across diverse political systems, while facing challenges from authoritarian tendencies, populism, and constitutional crises.