Constitutional pluralism, a response to the theoretical gaps of state-centered constitutionalism

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Department of Public Law, Faculty of Law, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.

2 PhD student in Public Law, Faculty of Law, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

The concept of constitutionalism embodies a theoretical framework in constitutional law designed to constrain public power through the authority of a foundational document—the constitution. For centuries, nation-states have served as the principal and most visible embodiment of public power. As a result, constitutionalism evolved as a state-centered theory, rooted in the constitution enacted by the state itself. In this paradigm, the state was regarded as the sole source of public power, and the constitution as the exclusive instrument for establishing fundamental norms. Consequently, the central purpose of this approach was to devise mechanisms for limiting and regulating state-generated power.In recent decades, however, the dynamics of public life and power production have diverged from these traditional assumptions. In practice, power is increasingly generated by non-state actors. This shift has created a tension between constitutional law and these new actors—whose powers remain inadequately identified and unregulated—highlighting the need for a theoretical reassessment. Constitutional pluralism has emerged as a pivotal response to the limitations of state-centered constitutionalism and the occasionally biased norms enshrined in constitutions. This research explores why constitutionalism has struggled to adapt to the emergence of new forms of power. The study’s key finding is that constitutional pluralism does not seek to displace the state within constitutional theory. Instead, it aims to acknowledge the networked and often diffuse power generated by actors whose influence cannot be fully captured or regulated solely within the traditional constitutional framework.

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History

  • Receive Date: 21 December 2024
  • Revise Date: 12 January 2025
  • Accept Date: 27 March 2025

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