Publications & Tools

part of the Rule of Law
February 2011 | News Feature by Jason Gluck

Egyptians and Tunisians are anxiously waiting to see how their aspirations will be realized in the weeks after the historic popular uprisings. While no component of Egyptian or Tunisian society – governance, politics, security, civil society, and economy -- is likely to be spared scrutiny, special attention will necessarily be paid to the constitution.

Countries: Africa, Egypt, Tunisia | Issue Areas: Rule of Law
November 2008 | Book by Francis M. Deng

In this innovative and stimulating volume, Francis Deng outlines a new relationship between governments and societies—a relationship informed by Western concepts but based on traditional African values such as respect for human dignity, equality, and self-rule.

Countries: Africa
January 2008 | Peace Brief by Robert Perito and Jasenka Jocic

Haiti has recently worked to enact the constitution of 1987. However, this document is fraught with ambiguous, perplexing, and legally cumbersome measures.

The Iraqi Constitution - PB (Image: USIP)
September 2005 | Peace Brief by Emily Hsu

This USIPeace Briefing recaps an August 23 Institute event discussing the progress, and potential problems, of the proposed Iraqi constitution.

Countries: Iraq | Issue Areas: Rule of Law
Iraq's Constitutional Process - SR 132 (Image: USIP)
February 2005 | Special Report by Rule of Law Program Staff

The elections that have just taken place in Iraq are not simply for an ordinary legislative body: the elected National Assembly will also have the responsibility of drafting a constitution for the nation. That constitution-making process can be elite-driven and subject to external interference, or it can be transparent, participatory, and truly Iraqi, leading to greater legitimacy and stability.

Countries: Iraq | Issue Areas: Rule of Law
Democratic Constitution Making - SR 107 (Image: USIP)
July 2003 | Special Report by Vivien Hart
Issue Areas: Rule of Law