Societal Constitutionalism: Background, Theory, Debates

Abstract The article provides a systematic outline and refinement of societal constitutionalism (SC), one the frameworks emerged in contemporary legal theory to analyse constitutional phenomena. After an introduction Section 1, 2 summarises SC’s theoretical background, namely debates on Economic Constitution (2.1), pluralism (2.2), systems (2.3), work David Sciulli (2.4). 3 explains analytical limb, which hand criticises some tenets state-centred (3.1); other identifies functions, arenas, processes, structures constitutionalised social system (3.2). 4 turns normative pointing strategies that increase systems’ capacities self-limitation (4.1); develop law inter-constitutional collisions (4.2). 5 addresses main competing approaches criticisms, are based (5.1); international/global (5.2); contestatory/material (5.3).