American Constitutionalism Abroad: Selected Essays in Comparative Constitutional History - Hardcover

by George Athan Billias (Editor), George Athan Billias (Other)

American constitutionalism remains this country's greatest contribution to human freedom. The ideas and ideals expressed in the U.S. Constitution and related documents, and the institutions developed in them have influenced different people in different lands over the past two hundred years. In American Constitutionalism Abroad, six distinguished historians, political scientists, and international law experts, discuss American constitutionalism in various regions of the world at different times, and within different contexts.

In terms of time and space, the influence of American constitutionalism is demonstrated in Europe between 1776 and 1848; Latin America during the nineteenth century; Asia in the twentieth century; and Germany in 1949 and France in 1958. One essay shows how the legacy of American constitutionalism was expressed in parallel movements in the nineteenth century to create a peaceful, liberal world order based on a proposed international legal code. By tracing the influence of the documents, procedures, and institutions that came into being within the United States during the founding period from 1776 to 1791, and by analyzing how they were received and perceived by constitutionmakers in other countries, it is possible to follow the spread of American constitutionalism through various parts of the world over time. By focusing on the influence of American constitutionalism abroad, this book breaks exciting new ground in the study of the Constitution. This work will appeal not only to American and legal historians, but to political scientists as well.

Author Biography

GEORGE ATHAN BILLIAS is Jacob and Hiatt Professor of History Emeritus at Clark University. Among the previous publications that he has written, edited, or coedited are: The Massachusetts Land Bankers of 1740, General John Glover and His Marblehead Mariners, and Interpretations of American History: Patterns and Perspectives. He is currently working on a volume entitled Heard Round the World: The Influence of American Constitutionalism Abroad, 1776 to Present.