In this paper we use novel historical data on economics and social rights from the constitutions of 201 countries and … constitutions reduce poverty? Second, does the strength of constitutional language of the economic and social rights matter …

The paper investigates the question whether constitutions are a proxy for institutional quality. It provides a … discussion of institutions and states that constitutions are an example of a formal institution. As any other formal institution …, constitutions are also influenced by countries' informal institutions, including customs and belief systems. The novel content …

This article introduces a novel database that measures governments’ compliance with national constitutions. It combines …)compliance with constitutions. Our investigation of the stylized facts of constitutional compliance does not reveal a long-term trend …, whereas military dictatorships perform the worst. Although compliance is not determined by a constitution's breadth …

This article introduces a novel database that measures governments' compliance with national constitutions. It combines …)compliance with constitutions. Our investigation of the stylized facts of constitutional compliance reveals a long-term increase in … worst. Constitutional design also matters: Constitutions that allow for the dismissal of the head of state or government for …