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1 results

  • 7 - Time Inconsistency and Other Correlates of Constitutional Length

  • George Tsebelis, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
  • Book:
    Changing the Rules
    Published online:
    24 April 2025
    Print publication:
    08 May 2025, pp 170-189
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  • Summary

    This chapter defines time inconsistency as the difference between the actual frequency of amendments and the one calculated on the basis of constitutional rigidity (Chapter 6). It proceeds to demonstrate that time inconsistency is proportional to the length of the constitution in all democracies. The reason is that “length” is correlated with “detail” (that is, the number of words per subject). This chapter provides empirical evidence that the length of constitutions is related to lower per capita income and higher corruption. These findings are consistent with the empirical research in US states that demonstrate that length of constitutions has a negative impact on GDP per capita, a positive one on unemployment, a positive one on Gini coefficients (inequalities), and a negative one on policy innovativeness (Brown 2021).