Constitutionalism in Crisis: Analyzing the Erosion of Democratic Norms in Comparative Perspective

This dissertation analyzes the current decline of constitutionalism and democratic principles in a deliberately selected comparative sample of nations. This study employs a mixed-methods strategy that integrates cross-national quantitative indicators with comprehensive process tracing to investigate the reasons and mechanisms behind the susceptibility of constitutions and constitutional practices, previously conducive to liberal democratic governance, to systematic erosion. I construct a theoretical framework that conceptualizes constitutionalism as a collection of statutory regulations, institutional safeguards, and informal conventions. The analysis delineates prevalent erosion mechanisms-instrumental constitutional alteration, judiciary capture, electoral management politicization, suppression of civil society and media, and abuse of emergency powers-and contrasts their sequencing across various examples. The study develops a typology of erosion pathways and provides specific policy recommendations for local and international stakeholders seeking to enhance constitutional resilience.