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

4.8.2010: Pakistan - Constitutional Amendment

Pakistan's National Assembly passed the 18th amendment to the constitution. The amendment transfers some Presidential powers to the Prime Minister and allows the Prime Minister to be selected for multiple terms (comparativeconstitutions.org 2010).

2.17.2010: Niger - Constitution Suspended

Niger's military held a coup and suspended the six month old constitution. The coup was in response to the new constitution that removed the term limits placed on President Mamadou Tandja and the reported fraud surrounding the constitution's promulgation (Jurist 2010).

1.26.2010: Dominican Republic - New Constitution

After a long and civil process, the Dominican Republic promulgated a new constitution. Interestingly, the government was careful to follow the amendment procedure of the previous constitution when promulgating the new one (comparativeconstitutions.org 2010).