Constitutional Convention

Constitutional Convention refers to a gathering for the purpose of writing a new constitution or revising an existing one. Countries may use such conventions to replace their constitution entirely or to make significant revisions to their existing constitutional law.

History

The term "Constitutional Convention" is most commonly associated with the Philadelphia Convention of 1787, which resulted in the creation of the United States Constitution. This convention was called in response to the perceived inadequacy of the Articles of Confederation, the first constitution of the United States.

Process

The process of a Constitutional Convention varies by country. In some cases, a convention may be called by a government. In others, it may be called by a vote of the people or by a legislative body. The convention itself is typically composed of delegates who are chosen by the people or by the government. These delegates then meet to discuss and draft the new constitution.

Criticisms

Critics of Constitutional Conventions argue that they can be manipulated by those in power to further their own interests. They also point out that the process can be lengthy and expensive. Supporters, however, argue that conventions provide a democratic way to make significant changes to a country's constitution.

Examples

In addition to the Philadelphia Convention, other notable examples of Constitutional Conventions include the Australian Constitutional Convention of 1998, which discussed the issue of Australia becoming a republic, and the Scottish Constitutional Convention, which led to the creation of the Scottish Parliament.

See also

• Constitutional law
• Constitutional amendment
• Constitutional commission
• Constitutional court