Data source: The Comparative Constitutions Project
This dataset presents records of the characteristics of national constitutions written since 1789. Each constitutional text is coded twice by different coders working independently. To maximize the reliability of the final data, the discrepancies between these two codings are reconciled by a third individual - a reconciler. This is the third public release of data (version 5.0) on the content of constitutions. Authors rely on Ward and Gleditsch's list to identify which countries are independent in a given year. There are two concepts used to categorize constitutional texts; a constitutional system encompasses the period in which a constitution is in force before it is replaced or suspended, and a constitutional event is any change to a country's constitution, including adoption, amendment, suspension, or reinstatement. For years in which there are multiple events, the constitution is coded as it stood in force at the end of the year. For example, if a constitution was amended the same year as it was adopted, the content of the constitution is coded as amended rather than as originally adopted. In addition, since events are (often) in force for multiple years, authors interpolated the data associated to each event across all country-years in which that event was in force. Note that this is an extremely conservative interpolation strategy because most constitutional amendments do not change many provisions. As a result, for most variables, one can safely interpolate across constitutional systems.
When using this dataset, please cite as:
(Elkins & Ginsburg,
2022)
Browse variables and select them for download.
ccp_buildsoc
Does the constitution refer to a duty of the people to take part in building society or to work for the development of the country? 1. Yes 2. No 96. Other
ccp_cc
Does the constitution contain provisions for a counter corruption commission? 1. Yes 2. No 96. Other 97. Unable to determine
ccp_childwrk
Does the constitution place limits on child employment? 1. Yes 2. No 90. Left explicitly to non-constitutional law 96. Other
ccp_civil
Does the constitution include provisions for the meritocratic recruitment of civil servants (e.g. exams or credential requirements)? 1. Yes 2. No 96. Other
ccp_democ
Does the constitution refer to "democracy" or "democratic"? 1. Yes 2. No
ccp_equal
Does the constitution refer to equality before the law, the equal rights of men, or non-discrimination? 1. Yes 2. No 96. Other
ccp_freerel
Does the constitution provide for freedom of religion? 1. Yes 2. No 96. Other
ccp_hr
Does the constitution contain provisions for a human rights commission? 1. Yes 2. No 96. Other
ccp_infoacc
Does the constitution provide for an individual the right to view government files or documents under at least some conditions? 1. Yes 2. No 96. Other
ccp_initiat
Does the constitution provide for the ability of individuals to propose legislative initiatives? 1. Yes 2. No 96. Other
ccp_market
Does the constitution refer to the "free market", "capitalism", or an analogous term? 1. Yes 2. No 96. Other
ccp_marriage
Does the constitution provide for the right to marry? 1. Yes, general provision 2. Yes, marriage is allowed between a man and a woman 3. No 90. Left explicitly to non-constitution law 96. ...
ccp_samesexm
Does the constitution provide the right for same sex marriages? 1. Yes 2. No 96. Other
ccp_slave
Does the constitution prohibit slavery, servitude, or forced labor? 1. Universally prohibited 2. Prohibited except in the case of war 3. Prohibited with other exception(s) 4. Explicitly allo ...
ccp_socialsm
Does the constitution refer to "socialism" or "socialist"? 1. Yes 2. No 96. Other
ccp_strike
Does the constitution provide for the right to strike? 1. Yes 2. Yes, but with limitations 3. No 96. Other
ccp_systyear
Year in which the constitutional system was promulgated.
ccp_taxes
Does the constitution refer to the duty to pay taxes? 1. Yes 2. No 96. Other