The Comparative Constitutions Project (CCP) is directed by Zachary
Elkins (University of Texas, Department of Government) and Tom Ginsburg (University of Chicago, Law School), in cooperation with the Cline Center for Democracy at the University of Illinois. The project is supported by the National Science Foundation (SES 0648288).

The intent of the project is to investigate the sources and consequences of constitutional choices. Towards this end, the investigators are collecting data on the formal characteristics of written constitutions, both current and historical, for most independent states since 1789. The data will ultimately be available in its entirety to the public.

The project also sponsors a website called constitutionmaking.org to inform constitutional designers. The site features reports on the prevalence of various constitutional provisions as well as sample clauses, and a forum reporting on recent news from the world of constitutional design. In addition, the site has a searchable database of selected constitutional texts.

Survey Instrument (.pdf)
CCP in the News
Board of Advisors
Courses
Constitutionmaking.org
The Endurance of National Constitutions Online Appendix

8.5.2010: Kenya - New Constitution

Voter in Kenya are set to approve their new constitution. The document is part of a power sharing arrangement that seeks to end the civil unrest in the country and will significantly reduce the powers of the president (Jurist 2010).

6.27.2010: Kyrgyzstan - New Constitution

Voters in Kyrgyzstan approved a new constitution. The new constitution shifts power from the President to the Prime Minister, establishes a secular state, and declares the next elections will be held in 2011 (Jurist 2010).

6.3.2010: Kazakhstan - Failed Constitutional Amendment

President Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan yielded to domestic and international pressure and rejected a constitutional amendment that would have significantly increased his powers, including naming him "leader of the nation" (Jurist 2010).