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Full-Text Articles in Law
Unpacking Constitutional Literacy, De Maartje Visser, Brian Christopher Jones
Unpacking Constitutional Literacy, De Maartje Visser, Brian Christopher Jones
Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law
The contemporary crisis in relation to constitutional literacy relates not to the lack of knowledge that citizens possess about fundamental constitutional texts, but to the considerable lack of development in relation to what constitutional literacy itself entails. This article accordingly unpacks the notion of constitutional literacy: its importance, its characteristics, its variable nature, and its potential downsides. Using a comparative lens, the article invites reflection on the role that we expect citizens to play in our democracies, and especially the associated knowledge and skills required for successful state performance. We suggest that constitutional literacy is exceptionally multifaceted and fluid in …
Promoting Constitutional Literacy: What Role For Courts?, De Maartje Visser
Promoting Constitutional Literacy: What Role For Courts?, De Maartje Visser
Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law
This article explores the role of constitutional judges in advancing constitutional literacy, understood as knowledge relating to the functioning of the constitutional order. Part of the inquiry is descriptive and geared towards identifying the modalities that courts today use to cultivate such literacy among the public, or segments thereof. The article also poses normative questions about literacy-boosting efforts. How do these relate to typical judicial functions? Are courts well-placed and equipped to disseminate constitutional knowledge? Based on an analysis of judicial practices, it is suggested that lay individuals are increasingly treated as a key constituency by courts, warranting the development …