constitutionalists

Constitutionalists are advocates of constitutional government, the view that political power should be limited and regulated by a constitution and by the rule of law. Their aim is to constrain authority, protect civil liberties, and ensure accountability through mechanisms such as separation of powers, representative institutions, and formal procedures for constitutional change. Constitutionalism encompasses both written and unwritten constitutions and can be associated with republics, constitutional monarchies, and other systems where legal limits on power are central.

The idea has long historical roots in chartered liberties and legal reforms dating to medieval and early modern Europe, including the Magna Carta and the English Bill of Rights, and was refined during the Enlightenment and subsequent waves of constitutional reform. In contemporary usage, the term often refers to movements or groups that defend constitutional order during political crises, opposing attempts to override constitutional norms or suspend legal processes.

Notable historical uses include the Constitutionalists in the Mexican Revolution (circa 1913–1917), a faction led by Venustiano Carranza that fought Huerta's government and helped advance the 1917 Constitution. More broadly, constitutionalists can be found in many countries that have codified constitutions or entrenched constitutional principles, including both republican and monarchical states. The label is not a single political party or movement but a descriptive category for those who prioritize constitutional constraints on political power.