Hungary’s New Constitution: Ideas have Consequences

Marion Smith / March 08, 2011

In what will surely be a publicity boon for Apple, especially among political scientists, Hungary’s new constitution is being written on an iPad.

Thus far, this is one of the best known bits of information concerning Hungary’s current constitution drafting process. But lovers of liberty should take note of Hungary’s project not because it is a technological milestone, but because it represents a rare moment for constitutionalism and the rule of law.

It is also a singular, albeit uncertain, moment in Hungary’s history. As such, the proposed text and the ideas that inspire it are far more important than the medium on which the words are written. James Madison, the primary drafter of the U.S. constitution, would surely have made good use of our many technological advances. He would undoubtedly object, however, to the diminished importance of basic philosophical truths and the erosion of understanding in matters of history and human nature in modern political discourse.

In preparation for the Constitutional Convention of 1787, Madison steeped himself in the classics and studied the early Greek democracies and Roman republics in order to learn from their successes and avoid their mistakes. (more…)