Comparative Constitutional Law (Fall 2025)

Introduction 

This course aims to introduce major topics in the scholarship of comparative constitutional law. To achieve this goal, we will study crucial constitutional developments in Asia – a region marked by its diverse political landscapes, cultural traits, economic developments, and historical trajectories. Each constitutional topic will be examined through a case study, ranging from Northeast to Central Asia, to understand how constitutions emerge and operate within a particular Asian context. We will focus on the dynamics between law and politics, instead of taking a traditional approach of legal doctrines.

1. Introduction to the Course: Constitutions and Constitutionalism

Albert H. Y. Chen, ‘Constitutions and Constitutionalism: China,’ in Constitutionalism in Context (David S. Law eds, 2022), pp. 61-70.

Supplementary: Galligan, Denis J. and Mila Versteeg, ‘Theoretical Perspectives on the Social and Political Foundations of Constitutions’ in Social and Political Foundations of Constitutions (Galligan, Denis J. and Mila Versteeg eds, 2013), pp. 3-48.

2. Constitutions and Constitutionalism

Albert H. Y. Chen, ‘Constitutions and Constitutionalism: China,’ in Constitutionalism in Context (David S. Law eds, 2022), pp. 70-85.

Supplementary: Rogier Creemers, ‘China’s Constitutionalism Debate: Content, Context and Implications,’ (2015) 74 The China Journal 91, pp. 91-109.

3. Constitutional Drafting and Revision

Clark B. Lombardi and Shamshad Pasarlay, ‘Constitution-Making for Divided Societies: Afghanistan,’ in Constitutionalism in Context (David S. Law eds, 2022). Skim pp. 89-96, focus on pp. 96-112.

Supplementary: Hanna Lerner, ‘Constitution-writing in Deeply Divided Societies: The Incrementalist Approach’ (2010) 16 (1) Nations and Nationalism 68, pp. 68-84.

4. Constitutional Revision and Constitutional Change

Yasuo Hasebe, ‘The End of Constitutional Pacifism?’ (2017) 26 Wash. Int’l L.J. 125, pp. 125-134.

Supplementary: Hajime Yamamoto, ‘Interpretation of the Pacifist Article of the Constitution by the Bureau of Cabinet Legislation: A New Source of Constitutional Law?’ (2017) 26 Wash. Int’l L.J. 99, pp. 99-125.

5. Governmental Structure and Constitutionalism

Cora Chan, ‘Subnational Constitutionalism: Hong Kong,’ in Constitutionalism in Context (David S. Law eds, 2022). Skim pp. 377-381, focus on pp. 381-402.

6. Electoral System

Simon Butt, ‘Electoral Systems: Indonesia,’ in Constitutionalism in Context (David S. Law eds, 2022). Skim pp. 403-407, focus on pp. 407-425.

7. LGBTQ Rights

Lynette J. Chua, ‘LGBTQ Rights: Singapore,’ in Constitutionalism in Context (David S. Law eds, 2022). Skim pp. 281-286, focus on pp. 286-301.

8. Socioeconomic Rights

Michael Ramsden, ‘Judging Social-economic Rights in Hong Kong,’ 16(2) International Journal of Constitutional Law 447, pp. 447-469.

Supplementary: Jeff King, Judging Social Rights (2012), pp. 21-28; Cass Sunstein, ‘Against Positive Rights,’ (1993) 2 E. Eur. Const. Rev. 35, pp. 35-38.

9. Religion

Yvonne Tew, Constitutional Statecraft in Asian Courts, pp. 159-179.

10.  Judicial Review

Shigenori Matsui, ‘Why Is the Japanese Supreme Court So Conservative?,’ (2011) 88 Wash. U. L. Rev. 1375. Focus on pp. 1375-1400, skim pp. 1400-1415.

11.  Judicial Review of Constitutional Amendments

David S. Law and Hsiang-Yang Hsieh, ‘Judicial Review of Constitutional Amendments: Taiwan,’ in Constitutionalism in Context (David S. Law eds, 2022). Skim pp. 185-198, focus on pp. 198-215.

12.  Judicial Review of Political Parties

Jongcheol Kim, ‘Dissolution of the Unified Progressive Party Case in Korea: A Critical Review with Reference to the European Court of Human Rights Case Law,’ (2017) 10(1) Journal of East Asia and International Law 139, pp. 139-155.

Supplementary: Hyun Lee, ‘The Erosion of Democracy in South Korea: The Dissolution of the Unified Progressive Party and the Incarceration of Lee Seok-Ki’ (2014) 12 The Asia-Pacific Journal 1, pp. 1-12.

13.  Emergency Power

Andrew Harding, ‘Emergency powers with a moustache: special powers, military rule, and evolving constitutionalism in Thailand’ in Emergency Powers in Asia: Exploring the Limits of Legality (Victor V. Ramraj and Arun K. Thiruvengadam eds., 2009). Pp. 294-313.

Skim Marcus Teo, ‘Constitutional Civil-Military Dynamics in Southeast Asia,’ (2022) 20(1) I-CON 237. Pp. 243-251.

14.  Civil-Military Relations and Constitutionalism 1/20

Marcus Teo, ‘Constitutional Civil-Military Dynamics in Southeast Asia,’ (2022) 20(1) I-CON 237. Pp. 237-271, skim 243-251.