Introduction: Perspectives and Frontiers of a «New Constitutional History»

di Markus J. Prutsch
in Memoria e Ricerca n.s. 35 (2010), p. 5

This introductory article assesses the differences between “old” and “new” political history, and the benefit of the latter for contemporary constitutional history that claims to be innovative and attempts to go beyond a narrow “constitutional law” focus. While the main features and potential of a “new constitutional history” are outlined, manifest, e.g., in a broader understanding of “constitution(alism)” as well as multidisciplinary and comparative approaches, at the same time awareness is raised of immanent frontiers and restrictions of constitutional research.