A Constitution of the People
And How to Achieve It
A book about how people can have a greater say in how they are governed.
Baroness Helena Kennedy QC
“Abraham's book convincingly elucidates a common truth: if societies want justice and democracy, they must develop inclusive constitutions and cultivate their people’s political culture.”
‘A Constitution of the People and How to Achieve It’ is published and distributed by Ibidem Press and Columbia University Press. Published, 31 May 2021.
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Blurb
Britain does not have a written constitution. It has rather, over centuries, developed a set of miscellaneous conventions, rules, and norms that govern political behavior. By contrast, Bosnia's constitution was written, quite literally, overnight in a military hanger in Dayton, USA, to conclude a devastating war. By most standards it does not work and is seen to have merely frozen a conflict and all development with it. What might these seemingly unrelated countries be able to teach each other? Britain, racked by recent crises from Brexit to national separatism, may be able to avert long-term political conflict by understanding the pitfalls of writing rigid constitutional rules without popular participation or the cultivation of good political culture. Bosnia, in turn, may be able to thaw its frozen conflict by subjecting parts of its written constitution to amendment, with civic involvement, on a fixed and regular basis; a 'revolving constitution' to replicate some of that flexibility inherent in the British system. A book not just about Bosnia and Britain; a standard may be set for other plural, multi-ethnic polities to follow.
Margaret Owen OBE
“The publication of Aarif Abraham's book, in these troubled days, could not be more timely as we witness authoritarian regimes ignoring or rewriting their codified constitutions by obliterating the rule of law on which they purport to be based. Since 1945, we have been marching towards the promise of a rules-based world order premised on equality, liberty, and justice. Now, however, and in the particular context of the coronavirus pandemic, we clearly see that we were wrong. Abraham meticulously and cogently demonstrates that constitutions, or their interpretation, can be very far removed from the interests of the people--of men but particularly women. (Women, we should remember, had no say at Dayton.) Political elites may proclaim re-written constitutions in their people's name but more often than not the citizens are more a hindrance than a help. Abraham persuasively argues that authoritarians can and do manipulate poorly designed institutions--we are seeing this all over the world. An ideal constitution ultimately defends the individual against the power and machinery of the State. Abraham discusses ways to make constitutions better reflect the interests and desires of citizens. Abraham also shows there is something worth preserving in the British constitution; a flexibility and adaptability lacking in other constitutions. But the holy grail is ensuring we allow everyone--without fear or hindrance--to articulate that which they have at stake in the future; the dispossessed, marginalised and disenfranchised and particularly the women and minorities who have been written out of constitutions for too long. I strongly commend anyone who cares, and have concerns, about the rules-based world order to think through the very important questions posed by this book. It matters to all of us, particularly now.”
- Margaret Owen OBE, International Human Rights Lawyer; Specialist on Women's Rights; Founder Member, GAPS-UK (Gender Action on Peace and Security); Director, Widows for Peace through Democracy
“Abraham offers no prescription on the content of a constitutional settlement but a road map as to how it may be achieved. As such, he succeeds in inviting us to think about our individual and collective roles in constitution-making.”
— Professor Philippe Sands QC
Dr Valery Perry
“The war in Bosnia and Herzegovina has been over for a quarter of a century, yet the country has failed to reach its true potential. The Dayton Constitution has proven to be a straitjacket, destroying all initiatives for accountability, functionality, and civic solidarity while entrenching a multi-headed hydra of governments in which party loyalties and perceived identity are all that matters. Abraham's book does an impressive job at explaining the constitutional underpinnings of the current stasis, while at the same time offering a thoughtful way forward if the interests of citizens--not political parties--is finally made paramount. The lessons of Bosnia and Herzegovina, properly learned and addressed, could benefit not only to its citizens, but citizens of other countries who are experiencing what happens when democratic systems and norms break down.”
- Dr Valery Perry, Democratization Policy Council (Sarajevo)
Baroness Helena Kennedy QC
“Bosnia and Britain appear not to have much in common, but Abraham's book convincingly elucidates a common truth; if societies want justice and democracy, they must develop inclusive constitutions and cultivate their people’s political culture. The promise of peace is not a distant hope but a present task of ascertaining, accepting and aligning people’s regard for justice and democracy with the preferences of elites and institutions that represent them. Bosnia's codified constitution, which was hastily imposed--without a popular mandate--may incentivise political and ethno-national conflict. Bosnia was not allowed to evolve to the democratic settlement wished for by its people. Britain, by contrast, has an uncodified constitution which evolved over centuries, but piecemeal and partisan 'reform' or codification is neither inclusive nor fair; to its nations or its people. Abraham's book helps us to rethink and re-evaluate what we take for granted: our democratic political culture. On the road to reform, we ought to take heed and understand that changing the rules of the game is not enough. We must ascertain that we are able and willing to adhere to them and that means consulting all of our people for a just and fair social contract--written or unwritten.”
- Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, Member of the House of Lords; Director, Human Rights Institute, International Bar Association; Chair, Booker Prize Foundation; President, JUSTICE