constitutionalist

Constitutionalist is a term used to describe a person who supports constitutionalism—the idea that political authority should be limited and defined by a constitution. A constitutionalist typically emphasizes the rule of law, checks and balances, separation of powers, and the protection of fundamental rights. The term can apply to advocates of both written and unwritten constitutional frameworks and to movements seeking to constrain government power through legal norms.

Historically, constitutionalisms have appeared in various contexts. In Britain and other states transitioning toward constitutional government, supporters of limits on sovereign authority were described as constitutionalists. During the Mexican Revolution, the faction called the Constitutionalist Army identified with liberal constitutionalism and fought to establish a constitutional order under Venustiano Carranza, culminating in the 1917 Constitution. The label has also been used more broadly for reform movements that insist on constitutional processes to govern state power.

In political theory, constitutionalists contrast with absolutists who advocate unfettered sovereignty. They may advocate for codified constitutions with explicit rights or for stable systems of constitutional conventions that protect liberties. In modern usage, constitutionalist is often applied to activists and political actors who advocate adherence to constitutional rules over executive prerogative. The term thus spans a range of contexts, from theoretical debate about the nature of government to practical campaigns for constitutional reforms and legal protections.