Oltre il Costituzionalismo?

The paper is analyzing the current crisis of the liberal constitutional order. After investigating the meaning of the words “liberalism” and “constitutionalism” in an historical perspective, it considers some of the most recent developments in the field of constitutionalism and anticipates the possible outcomes in the next decades. Among the core changes in the contemporary constitutional scenario are the challenges to the separation of powers, the crisis of international and supranational institutions, and the belief in constitutionalism as an incremental and expansive legal horizon. These characterizing features of contemporary constitutionalism are under pressure not despite democracy but rather in the name of democracy The paper argues that constitutionalism will not go away, but much of its achievements might be lost if the place of democracy is undervalued. It ultimately makes the case for a more comprehensive understanding of constitutionalism and democracy, one capable of bridging the widening gap between the two.